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9-8-10-- Corn and grain sorghum growers join state ag groups to offer hands-on ag education at Kansas State Fair

6-11-10--Kansas Growers Participate in Corn Utilization Conference

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8-26-11--Ken McCauley Testifies at Senate Ag Committee Field Hearing

Below is the testimony given by Ken McCauley at a field hearing held by the Senate Agriculture Hearing on Aug. 25 in Wichita. The hearing was held to hear input regarding upcoming farm bill discussions.

Testimony of Ken McCauley, White Cloud, KS
Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry
Wichita, KS

August 25, 2011

Madam Chairwoman, Ranking Member Roberts and members of the Committee, on behalf of Kansas corn farmers, I appreciate this opportunity to present a farmer’s view on upcoming farm bill discussions.

My name is Ken McCauley. I am a past president of the National Corn Growers Association and currently serve on the Kansas Corn Commission and am an active member of the Kansas Corn Growers Association.

I last stood before your committee in 2007 to testify on the 2008 Farm Bill. Much has changed in the past four years, but much has remained the same. In 2008, for example, loan deficiency and countercyclical portions of the current farm bill were still relevant. Today, you’d be broke before you reached the level to collect an LDP. But as I said, much has remained the same. Notably, the need for a strong safety net for growers continues to be vital to Kansas.

I farm near White Cloud, Kansas in the northeast corner of Kansas. My wife and I produce corn and soybeans. My son, Brad and his wife also have a family farm operation of their own nearby. They farm in conjunction with us sharing equipment and labor. My needs for risk management are different than those for my son. He is the reason I am concerned about risk management. It is a vital tool that is needed especially by our young farmers. I am over 60 years old, but I feel we need to be looking at risk management that is more relevant to the exposure needs of the younger farmer. We have a lot of young farmers and we desperately need them to succeed in agriculture.

Kansas corn is a strong and growing commodity that provides a great economic benefit for our state. In fact, with a value of over 3 billion dollars, the 2010 Kansas corn crop was the highest valued grain crop in the history of our state. Advancements in technology and farming practices have been vital to corn’s success in Kansas. This year, our Kansas growers planted 5.1 million bushels of corn. This summer’s extreme weather conditions will lower our yield, but I believe the resilience of our crop and the efforts of our farmers will ensure that we will continue to meet the needs of our customers.

To say Kansas is a diverse state is an understatement, especially this year. This summer, some farmland in my county is under water due to the flooding of the Missouri River. My family farm has enjoyed an excellent growing season with timely rainfall. This is contrasted with a large part of Kansas that is suffering through an extreme drought. Even in a normal year, differences in climate, elevation and weather patterns from eastern to western Kansas are extreme. White Cloud sits at 883 feet above sea level. I have a friend who farms near Weskan in Wallace County, elevation 3,852 feet above sea level. Not only do the farmers in the high plains of western Kansas have higher elevations, they also have a different climate, with much lower annual rainfall, later planting dates, and a higher occurrence of drought.

Kansas corn farmers have purchased Federal crop insurance for over 4 million acres of corn, that’s about 80 percent of our corn acres. Participation in the crop insurance program in Kansas is high because of the reasons I mentioned earlier. Weather here is undependable with droughts, storms, hailstorms and wind. That’s why Kansas farmers rely on a strong and viable crop insurance program.

But what works for the McCauley farm probably won’t for a farmer in western Kansas. When you look at things like multi-year losses, especially in a state like Kansas where the western half can experience extreme drought, while the eastern half can experience ample rainfall, statewide triggers don’t help much. We need to look at opportunities to strengthen the crop insurance program—conventional crop insurance and products like the revenue-based crop insurance.

Risk management is not only important to the farmers. It is important to rural communities. When you talk to the banker about an operating loan, he’ll want to know what crop insurance coverage you have. It is an integral part of the way we do business in agriculture. That’s why farmers need effective risk management—a combination of crop insurance and revenue-based programs. We strongly support crop insurance as an important part of a farmer’s safety net. Let’s also strengthen revenue-based risk management tools to fix the holes in the safety net, while maintaining a strong and viable federal crop insurance program.

By finding a way to get a revenue-based risk management tool, like ACRE, closer to the farm level, for example by Crop Reporting District, this type of program could provide more realistic coverage for growers. Of course, additional changes would have to be adopted to minimize or eliminate any overlap with Federal crop insurance.

My friend’s farm in Weskan has no resemblance to my farm in White Cloud. It is impossible to assume the same rules apply the same to both of us. That is why it is important to look at conditions, not just at the state level, but closer to the actual farms for which the products are providing coverage.

As NCGA President, I was involved in the discussions when the first revenue-based programs were introduced. These tools are already in place and now we need to learn from what we have and make improvements to reach our goal to plug holes in the safety net.

We are continually told to brace for cuts to farm programs as our government works to become more efficient. I believe farmers understand the need for cuts across the board, and we simply ask that the cuts to farm programs be proportionate to other federal programs. Even though direct payments are under fire they do provide a valuable safety net for a farmer who is under extreme conditions and doesn’t always qualify for enough of the risk management tools that we have today. For example, when you are in a severe extended drought, there is never enough risk management. If direct payments are cut, at least some of that money should be used to strengthen the risk management programs for our growers.

Beyond securing a solid safety net for our growers, I continue to hope for passage of the Free Trade Agreements with Korea, Columbia and Panama that are currently on the table. These are vital to U.S. agriculture in providing strong export markets for our agricultural products. These would be an economic benefit for our country, and we can use all the economic growth we can get.

Agriculture is one of the few bright spots in the American economy today. Our farmers are continuing to work hard to meet the needs of all their customers. Late planting, floods, drought—these are all a part of nature, and it is nature and its unpredictable twists and turns that we work with every day. With a strong safety net, and strong, open markets, agriculture in America can continue to thrive and continue to bolster our American and Kansas economies.

Thank you again for this opportunity to share this information with the committee.

8-12-11--Despite Challenging Growing Conditions, Kansas Growers Predicted to Harvest Fourth Largest Corn Crop
Ugly. That word describes the August crop production report released this week by the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service.

Kansas corn producers planted the largest corn acreage in modern times this year, but hot and dry conditions will cause the 2011 harvest to be 15 percent smaller than last year production. Kansas growers are expected to produce 495 million bushels of corn, with an average statewide yield of 110 bushels per acre.

“The August crop production estimates report for Kansas is not uplifting reading. It shows reductions in crop harvests across the board. Corn has its lowest yield since 1983; sorghum and soybeans have their lowest yield since 2003 and wheat had its lowest yield since 2007. Of all the Kansas crops, corn is predicted to have the smallest production loss at 15 percent,” according to Kansas Corn Growers Association Director of Communications Sue Schulte. “Wheat production is down 24 percent; sorghum and soybean production is down 28 percent. Most of our farmers are diversified, and we are seeing production losses across the board.”

The Kansas corn production estimate of 495 million bushels is down 15 percent from 2010, but still the fourth largest harvest in our state’s history. The top crop for Kansas corn was harvested in 2009, at 598 million bushels. The second largest crop was harvested in 2010 and the third largest crop was harvested in 2007.

“Our state’s top five corn crops have been harvested in the last five years,” Schulte said. “The 2010 crop may have been the second largest in the state’s history, but it was the most valuable grain crop harvested in the history of Kansas, valued at $3.1 million.”

Extreme dry and hot conditions plagued much of the state this year, especially the southern two-thirds of Kansas Precipitation was welcomed by farmers and ranchers across the state of Kansas last week, but the relief did not come soon enough in several areas. High temperatures continued in the triple digits, including Medicine Lodge, which reached 113 degrees.

According to the August 8 Crop Progress Report, sixty percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage, behind 71 percent last year and 61 percent for the 5-year average, while 21 percent of the crop had dented, behind 24 percent in 2010 but ahead of 19 percent for the 5-year average. Despite rain, the condition of the corn crop declined to 41 percent poor or very poor, 26 percent fair, and 33 percent good or excellent. Overall, NASS reported that 60 percent of the U.S. corn crop is excellent or good, 24 percent fair and 16 percent is rated as poor or very poor.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported that rainfall totals were greater than an inch for 31 of their 51 stations across the state of Kansas, the most since the last week of May. Concordia lead the state with 3.60 inches.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman has been working with local, state and federal officials to identify ways the public sector can assist Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses that are being adversely impacted by this drought. There have been a number of policy changes in recent days. Farmers are encouraged to t is recommended that farmers continue to talk to their local FSA Office
regarding their options.

7-26-11--Heat, Drought Challenge Many Kansas Corn Farmers
July 26, 2011--Hot, dry weather continued to plague Kansas corn producers, lowering crop conditions, according to the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service. This week's Crop Progress and Condition report pegged the corn crop at 16 percent very poor, 18 percent poor, 32 percent fair, and 34 percent good to excellent.

"About a third of our crop is rated poor to very poor, a third is rated fair and a third is rated good to excellent. We won't know the full statewide outcome until the combines are in the fields this fall," according to Kansas Corn Growers Association Communications Director Sue Schulte. "Years like this are the reason we must maintain a strong crop insurance system."

Kansas growers planted 5.1 million acres of corn this year. Improvement in crop technology and farming practices improve the corn crop's chances of surviving challenging weather conditions.

"Not only are we dealing with dry conditions, we are dealing with incredible heat as well. There is no doubt there are many Kansas growers suffering this year with these conditions, especially those in the southern two-thirds of the state." Schulte said.

The U.S. drought monitor shows varying levels of drought in Kansas. 8.6 percent of the state is in a D4 "exceptional" drought, located in parts of eleven southwest and south central Kansas counties. Nearly half of the state is experiencing some level of drought conditions. In mid-July of 2010, no counties in Kansas were experiencing drought conditions.

7-22-11--Ogallala Aquifer Meeting Draws Large Crowd, Forwards Discussion
Staff report from Sue Schulte, KCGA Director of Communications

Over 400 people attended the Governor’s Economic Summit on the Ogallala Aquifer in Colby on Thursday. The sheer number of people in attendance was impressive and underscores the level of interest in the aquifer and its importance to the economy of Kansas. Participants in the conference ranged from those involved in all facets of agriculture and agribusiness, farmers, ranchers, city officials, legislators, association representatives and government officials.

The group listened to an overview and roundtable discussion in the morning session. Giving morning presentations were Brownie Wilson, Kansas Geological Survey; Dr. Bill Golden, Kansas State University, and Dr. Joseph Aistrup, Kansas State University. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback led the roundtable discussion where he listened to questions from attendees and discussed ways to conserve and extend the life of the aquifer. After lunch, the conference attendees broke into small groups in the afternoon to discuss the future of the aquifer, the individual’s role and what the Brownback administration can do to help.

Some of the points that come out of the afternoon sessions included:
--Conservation efforts should be determined by local groups to fit local conditions.

--Reductions or water conservation efforts need to be made by all growers in area, not just individuals.

--Interest in finding ways to improve recharge of the aquifer. Questions about the impact of the river flow, and diversion to the ditches, like the Amazon and Southside.

--Water usage reductions should be phased in to allow growers time to make changes.

--Some recognition for the impact and potential of new technologies and improved farming practices as well as drought tolerant traits becoming available.

--Questions about whether other states located in the aquifer are doing anything to conserve water; some asked whether there should be a multi-state Ogallala compact.

--Governor Brownback’s interest in removing “Use It or Lose It” language from water law to encourage more voluntary conservation without growers being penalized for using less water.

--Many reiterated that water rights are personal property rights in Kansas.

--Optimizing incentives and government programs to encourage conservation.

--Some interest in more use of IGUCAs for conservation efforts.

Follow this link http://www.kwo.org/Ogallala/Ogallala_Discussion_Page.htm to presentations made in the morning session and outcomes of the afternoon group discussions.

7-14-11--Kansas Represented at Corn Congress in D.C.
Six Kansas Corn Growers represented the state at Corn Congress this week in Washington, D.C. The Corn Congress delegates included Ken McCauley, White Cloud; Brian Baalman, Menlo; Charles Foltz, Garnett; Roger Pine, Lawrence; David Studer, Atwood and Bob Timmons, Fredonia.

Identifying what policy corn growers need to supply a world with a growing demand for food and energy makes Corn Congress an effective use of time. Corn Congress is a semi-annual event where 124 corn farmers from 28 states gather for delegate sessions to determine policy that guides the National Corn Grwoers Association. In addition, many growers participate in action team and committee meetings. The delegates also elect the new members of the NCGA Corn Board. Another session of Corn Congress is held during the Commodity Classic, the national convention of the corn, soybean, grain sorghum and wheat associations.

The Kansas delegates are conducting visits with each member of the Kansas Congressional delegation while in Washington DC.

“While NCGA has a Washington DC staff that deals with policy issues, the presence of real farmers on Capitol Hill is very powerful. Lawmakers want to hear directly from farmers about policies and regulations that have real implications on the farm,” according to KCGA Executive Director Jere White.

KCGA President Bob Timmons is a member of the NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team, which met earlier this week. The Kansas group also includes two past presidents of the National Corn Growers Association: Roger Pine of Lawrence and Ken McCauley of White Cloud. Kansas Corn Commissioner Terry Vinduska is also at Corn Congress in his role as chairman of the US Grains Council.

7-8-11--Kansas Farm Family Featured in Corn Farmers Coalition Educational Effort
Thousands of people in Washington, DC are looking at the McCauley farm family from White Cloud, Kansas this summer. The McCauley family is one of several American farm families featured in the Corn Farmers Coalition campaign that aims to educate Washington DC decision makers about agriculture. The McCauleys and other farm families are also featured in the Corn Fact Book published by the coalition. The Corn Fact Book is available at cornfarmerscoalition.com.

The Corn Farmers Coalition secured all the advertising space in two key Washington DC metro rail stations. In June, CFC ads were featured in Union Station and this month they appear in the Capitol South station.

“We purchased all the advertising spots in these stations, from large banners on the walls, smaller posters on pillars and even art on the floor. Posters with Ken and Mary McCauley are on the floor as you get on and off the escalator in the Capitol South Station. You truly can’t miss our messages. If you walk through the station you are likely to walk on Ken and Mary,” according the Sue Schulte, Kansas Corn Commission director of communications. “These stations were chosen because of the large number of legislative and regulatory staff who pass through them on a daily basis. An added benefit comes from the large number of tourists who also pass through the stations in the summer.”

Checkoff programs in 14 states including Kansas fund the program and work with the National Corn Growers Association to develop the educational campaign. The fact book is being widely distributed in Washington in support of a major educational campaign that includes print, radio, online and large scale outdoor messages. The Corn Farmers Coalition advertising campaign features photographs of farmers holding signs with numbers coinciding with facts about corn farming. Four generations of the McCauley family are featured in a poster with the fact: “95% of all corn farms in America are family owned.” (Source: USDA)

The families are also featured in the Corn Fact Book, a publication that provides an in-depth look at the strides corn farmers are making in producing corn in a productive and sustainable way. Ken McCauley, who serves on the Kansas Corn Commission, commented on his family's photo in the Corn Fact book.

“The seventh generation of the McCauley farm family is in this photo. So is the sixth, fifth and fourth,” McCauley said. The word “sustainable” is often used these days, and Ken can’t think of any better definition than his family farm.

“We’ve more than doubled yields since I’ve been farming, and at the same time we’ve improved our soil and better managed our resources,” he said. “When you figure the sixth generation is taking over the farm now as the seventh grows up on it, I say we’re doing a great job ensuring our land will provide for our family and help feed and fuel our country well into the future. You can’t get more sustainable than that.”

Centered on key facts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Corn Fact Book chronicles how farmers have used generations of knowledge and married it with modern technology, innovation and hard work to provide plenty or corn for our expanding list of uses.

As public interest increasingly focuses on sustainability, the Corn Fact Book details the incredible advancements that allow U.S. farm growers to produce more using fewer inputs year after year. Using new techniques and technologies, corn farmers have managed to decrease soil erosion by 44 percent in two decades, using 37 percent less energy per bushel, while producing 20 percent more corn per acre than anywhere else in the world.

“I’m really proud of the fact that our farm today is better than it was four decades ago when I started farming,” McCauley said. “And it will be even better as the next generation takes what we’ve learned and improves it.”

“The facts that are shared by the Corn Farmers Coalition don’t come from us. They come from USDA and EPA,” according to Schulte, who is on the CFC steering committee. “We listened to focus groups in Washington DC and learned that professionals in our capitol have a positive view of farmers, but at the same time, they think that there are very few real family farmers. They were surprised to learn that 30 percent of farm operators are women, and they didn’t know that most of the money in the farm bill goes to programs such as forestry, food stamps, school lunches, and other programs. And they didn’t want to just see facts and figures, they wanted to see the faces of farmers and that’s what we’ve given them—in a big way.”

The facts show that the efforts by family farmers to improve their environmental footprint are paying off. Thirty-two percent less water is needed to produce a bushel of corn and emissions produced in growing and harvesting a bushel of corn has dropped 30 percent. Farmers are growing 85 percent more corn per ounce of fertilizer than they did 20 years ago, and with a national average of 153 bushels per acre, the 2010 crop was about 20 percent larger than the average yield in 2002.
 

7-1-11--Kansas Farmers Plant 7.6 Million Acres of Feedgrains for Livestock, Ethanol and Other Uses

Kansas farmers have planted 5.1 million acres of corn in Kansas and 2.5 million acres of sorghum. That’s 7.6 million acres of feedgrains planted to meet the demands of all their customers.

Kansas growers are expected to harvest 4.8 million acres or corn. The 10-year average yield for Kansas corn is 131.5 bushels per acre. If the Kansas crop meets the 10-year average, Kansas growers would harvest a record 631 million bushels of corn. The record of 589.3 million bushels was set in 2009,

Kansas farmers are expected to harvest 2.35 million acres of sorghum. If growers meet the 10-year average yield of 68 bushels per acre, they would harvest 160 million bushels, which is roughly equal to the amount of grain used by Kansas ethanol plants. Ethanol in Kansas is made with both grain sorghum and corn. A third of the grain used for ethanol returns to the feeding stream as high nutrient distillers grains.

“It’s important to note that many of our growers are experiencing varying levels of drought, especially in southwest and southcentral Kansas. At the same time, a small number of growers along the northeastern border of the state are impacted by the flooding Missouri River,” KCGA/KGSPA Director of Communications Sue Schulte said. “While it’s difficult to overcome extreme dry conditions, our growers are better positioned to handle dry weather, thanks to improved crop genetics and better farming practices like conservation tillage.”

Nationwide, farmers have shown their resilience in enduring many challenges to getting their crops
in the ground. The USDA estimates that U.S. farmers planted 92.3 million acres of corn this spring and will harvest
84.9 million acres this fall. Using the USDA’s current projection of yield, 158.7 bushels per acre, this means a harvest of nearly 13.5 billion bushels of corn, a new record.

6-20-11--Kansas Corn Commission Joins with RFA and EKAE to Promote Ethanol Fuels in Boating

The Kansas Corn Commission has joined an effort with the Renewable Fuels Association and East Kansas Agri-Energy ethanol plant to sponsor the National Boat Racing Association's 2011 Ethanol Challenge Series. The Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals are being held June 25 and 26 at Cedar Valley Reservoir at Garnett. Racing will take place at the lake from noon to 5 p.m on Saturday and Sunday. Ethanol information and materials will be given to race fans. The National Boat Racing Association is active in dispelling misinformation about ethanol's fuel performance in watercraft. This partnership will prove that ethanol is effective not only vehicles on the road, but high-performance marine engines as well.

Today, nearly every gallon of gasoline sold in the United States is blended with ethanol, most commonly in the E10 formulation.  This blend of fuel has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in all engine types, including marine equipment, automobiles, and small or non-road engines. These two-stroke engine boats will be taking engine performance to the next level, reaching top speeds operating on E10 fuel purchased from the same retail fuel locations as local consumers.

"American boaters have been utilizing ethanol-blended fuel safely and effectively for years," said Vernon Barfield, NBRA Spokesperson. "Ethanol-blended fuel provides the high-performance engines in this series with the horsepower and performance they need to win.  We are excited to show that our racing boats are able to perform to their best capability using E10 fuel, shaking the myths that ethanol harms marine engines."

About the KCC: The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower-funded, grower-governed organization working to secure the future of Kansas corn. The state corn checkoff invests a half-cent per bushel in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education. Visit http://www.ksgrains.com.

About the NBRA: NBRA, a national sanctioning body, was formed in 2001 to promote the sport of stock and modified outboard hydroplane and runabout racing through increased awareness of the sport, encouraging safety, and expanding its competition. Visit www.raceNBRA.com.

About the RFA:  The Renewable Fuels Association's mission is to advance the development, production, and use of ethanol fuel by strengthening America's ethanol industry and raising awareness about the benefits of renewable fuels. RFA's 200 members are working to help America become cleaner, safer, more energy independent and economically secure.  Visit www.EthanolRFA.org.

6-16-11--Corn Growers Disappointed Politics Trumped Policy on Key Ethanol Vote
The Kansas and National Corn Growers Association expressed severe disappointment today that the Senate allowed petty politics to trump prudent policy in the fight for the future of the ethanol industry. The passage of Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s amendment to immediately repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit represents a tax increase on fuel that will kill jobs in rural America and hit all consumers in the pocketbook, NCGA said. The Kansas Corn Growers Association thanked Kansas Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran for voted for the second week against an amendment that would pull the rug out from under ethanol plants, many of which in Kansas have grower investment.

“Today the Senate voted against rural America and domestic, renewable energy, and in favor of more foreign oil,” NCGA President Bart Schott, a grower from Kulm, N.D., said. “Sen. Feinstein has unfairly hit at the heart of an important agricultural industry while remaining unified with subsidy-laden Big Oil.”

Schott pointed out that one comprehensive report found that subsidies for the oil industry total up to $280 billion annually, representing up to $2 per gallon of gasoline. A recent legislative effort to eliminate $2 billion of these oil subsidies went nowhere in Congress, he noted, after organizations like the National Taxpayers Union painted it as a tax increase. The ethanol industry supports more than 400,000 U.S. jobs, contributing more than $56 billion each year to the nation’s economy and $11 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue, Schott said.

“Last year, 81 senators voted to extend the blender’s credit for one year to allow us to move forward with a proposal to reform these incentives,” Schott said. “We have proposed such legislation and have shown a willingness to work with all parties on a solution, and we thank the senators who stood by their vote last year and stood by us in this week’s effort.”

Also Thursday, in a victory for corn growers and the ethanol industry, the Senate rejected a proposed amendment by Sen. John McCain that would have prevented the U.S. Department of Agriculture from providing grants for blender pumps.

“This is good news because we want to do all we can to encourage fuel choice,” Schott said. “Blender pumps provide options for those with flex-fuel vehicles and can help the ethanol industry grow in the years to come.”

6-14-11--Kansas Corn Growers Applaud Senate Defeat of Anti-Ethanol Coburn Amendment
June 14, 2011--Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn's amendment to immediately repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit was defeated 59-40 on the Senate floor today. The amendment, which needed 60 votes to pass, failed on the Senate floor with only 40 votes in favor, and 59 votes against. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts both voted against the anti-ethanol amendment. Kansas Corn Growers Association President Bob Timmons of Fredonia said the vote was important to corn producers and the ethanol industry.

"We appreciate the efforts of Senator Roberts and Senator Moran, who voted against the Coburn Amendment which would have pulled the rug out from under ethanol plants," Timmons said. "VEETC expires at the end of this year and work is already underway to restructure it to be more responsive to the market, create more market access for ethanol creating quite a savings in
revenues."

Senator Moran is a cosponsor of the Ethanol Reform and Deficit Recuction Act, introduced Monday by  Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The legislation, which is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 13 senators, would transition the ethanol industry into a variable tax incentive and create additional market access for ethanol by removing existing barriers of consumer choice.

This legislation would implement a variable tax credit beginning July 1, with the rate to be based on the price of oil, to expire at the end of 2014. The bill would extend the alternative fuel station tax credit, which would allow for more consumer freedom to purchase higher concentration of ethanol, and would extend the small producer ethanol credit through 2014. Of the $2.5 billion in revenues this would make available to the Federal Treasury, $1 billion would be earmarked for deficit reduction.

"Ethanol in our fuel stream represents a great savings to consumers. In fact the latest studies show that ethanol reduced gas prices 89 cents per gallon in 2010," Timmons said. "When you look at the high gas prices consumers are paying and our reliance on foreign oil, we believe we should be encouraging, not discouraging, the production and use of domestic energy. "

The Kansas Corn Growers Association represents its dues-paying members in legislative and regulatory issues. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com.

6-3-11--Chinese Crop Tour

Following is a report from Kansas Corn Communications Specialist DeEtta Bohling who recently returned from US Grains Council crop tour in China.

By DeEtta Bohling, Communications Specialist
This past week I have been traveling northeast China (Beijing, Harbin, Zhaodung, Zhaoyuan, Fuyu, Changchun, Changling, and Shuangliao) with the U.S. Grains Council and corn growers from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Nebraska as a part of the Chinese Spring Corn Tour. The purpose of this tour is to survey the crop growing conditions including the weather, planting and germination. By participating on this tour, we better understand the corn market, Chinese government policies, marketing and demand, and the local feed and livestock situation.

I have spent the last three days touring the countryside of northeast China and speaking to the farmers out working in their fields. It has to be intimidating for the farmer to see about twelve foreigners walking through their field towards them, but everyone has been willing to speak with us and allowed time for us to ask questions about what they are doing and why they are doing it. Agriculture is their livelihood, just like many of the growers I am traveling with and their love for the land shows.

The average size of land per farmer here is 2 hectors (about 5 acres) and the government owns all the land so farmers rent the area from the government. We have toured several fields (growing corn, rice, peppers, grapes, onions, and others), a grain buying facility, an ethanol plant, a feed mill operation, a fertilizer dealer, an equipment dealer and hog farmer.

We stopped and visited with two farmers that were doing some replanting of the skips on the first day. Corn is as far along here as it is in many areas of the U.S. farmers are having many of the same issues that folks in the United States are having, be it cooler temperatures, high moisture, or delayed planting. There is a vast amount of farm land in the areas we have toured and the soil quality is great. The last two days we have spent time in Jilin Provence. The area consists of 55 million hectors with a population of 27.9 million people. Fourteen million of those people are living in the country.

Currently, there are 3.3 million hectors dedicated to corn, though that number continues to rise. The yield also continues to rise. On average, there are 52,000 corn plants per hector of land. Recently they have been experiencing lower temperatures during the month of May, but their largest concern is drought during the summer months. The western part of Jilin Provence has been experimenting with irrigation due to drought conditions. The cost for this is 20,000 RMB (about $3,125) per hector of land. 55% of farmers in this area use compound fertilizers. There are currently 8,000 seed companies in China but only 100 of them have research behind them.

The group, overall, has been impressed with the corn and soil quality and the amount of work that goes into planting by hand. Needless to say, the potential for Chinese agriculture is huge along with the use of modern agricultural technology. Without the use of technology, China simply will not be able to meet the demand.

Check out DeEtta's photos from the China Crop Tour on the U.S. Grains Council’s Flickr site.
 

6-3-11--Kansas Corn Commission Presents Proficiency Award at FFA Convention
Greg Harris, Chapman FFA Chapter, received the Diversified Crop Production-Entrepreneurship proficiency award at the Kansas FFA Convention Thursday. Sue Schulte, Kansas Corn Commission Director of Communications, presented the award to Harris on behalf of the Commission.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to spend the day with these Kansas FFA members,” Schulte said. “It is quite an accomplishment for an FFA member to receive a proficiency award on the state level. Greg put a lot of time into qualifying for the proficiency award. In visiting with Greg, I was impressed with his strong knowledge of farming. Agriculture needs young, innovative people like Greg.”

Greg just completed his freshman year at Kansas State University. He began farming on 50 acres, but has grown his operation to 250 acres of wheat, soybeans and sorghum. This year, he said, he is adding corn to his rotation. Greg has learned about making planting and fertilizer application decisions, utilizing insurance and marketing programs, and how farm expenses affect his operation. Greg also achieved his goal of investing in the farm equipment to build his equity. After completing his degree in agricultural technology management from Kansas State University, Greg would like to design GPS and rate management systems, acquire more ground and eventually co-manage the family farm. His parents are Kevin and Rosemary Harris.

The FFA proficiency awards recognize excellence in supervised agricultural experience programs. The program rewards FFA members at the local, district, state and national levels for exceptional accomplishments in progressing toward specific career objectives in agriculture. The 83rd Kansas FFA Convention was held June 1-3 at Kansas State University.

The Kansas Corn Commission also sponsored the livestock judging award in the FFA’s State Career Development Events in Agriculture. The team winner was the Caney FFA and the individual winner was Randee Corns of Eureka.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a 4-Star Sponsor of Kansas FFA Foundation. “I find it impressive to look at the list of FFA sponsors and find not only farm organizations and agribusiness, but businesses and individuals from all walks of life,” Schulte said.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board that determines how the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff is invested in the areas of market development, promotion, research and education. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com

5-13-11-- Kansas Corn Growers Made Strides In Planting This Week
Most Kansas growers saw dry conditions, but below normal statewide temperatures as they hit the fields with their planters in the last two weeks. Early this week, Kansas Agriculture Statistics Service estimated that 66 percent of the Kansas corn crop had been planted, compared to only 41 percent in the previous week. Twenty-five percent of the crop has emerged, which is a little behind the 5-year average of 27 percent, as cooler temperatures have slowed emergence.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts a record 13.5 billion bushel corn crop for 2011. A strong corn market that has led to higher expected corn acres will help boost the corn supply.

“Another record corn crop is further evidence that our growers will continue to meet the needs for food, feed and fuel,” said Kansas Corn Growers Communication Specialist, DeEtta Bohling. “Kansas corn growers have another busy year ahead of them.”

In its first report on supply and demand for the corn crop now being planted across the Corn Belt, USDA projects that 2011 corn production will total 1.1 billion bushels more than 2010, due to an expected increase of 4 million planted acres. The 2011 average corn yield is projected at 158.7 bushels per acre, nearly six bushels over 2010.

The USDA further reports that total corn supply for the 2011-12 marketing year is projected at 14.3 billion bushels, and total U.S. corn use is projected at 13.4 billion bushels, down 1 percent from 2010. Corn use for ethanol is projected up 50 million bushels, reflecting a slow expected growth in gasoline consumption and continued export demand for ethanol in the coming year. Domestic corn feed and residual use is projected 50 million bushels lower than in 2010, reflecting the increased availability of feed co-products from ethanol production and lower expected residual use as compared with the current year. U.S. corn exports for 2011 are projected down 100 million bushels from 2010, with larger foreign corn supplies.

U.S. corn ending stocks for 2011-12 are projected at 900 million bushels, up 170 million from the current year projection. USDA also made minor revisions to the current 2010-11 crop demand estimate, resulting in an increase to carry-out of 730 million bushels.

USDA projects global coarse grain production for 2011 is projected at a record 1,146.8 million tons, up 6 percent from 2010.

5-3-11--Kansas Corn exhibit at 3i this week
Kansas Corn Commission will be among more than 500 exhibitors at the Annual 3i Show in Garden City, Kan. The show will take place at the Finney County Fairgrounds May 4-6.

The Kansas Biofuels tent is a joint effort of Kansas Corn and the Kansas Soybean Commission. The Biofuels Tent will feature the Kansas Corn Car, a flexible fuel Chevrolet Impala and the Kansas Soybean biodiesel truck. Visitors to the tent will have the opportunity to play a scratch ticket game for a chance to win free E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles and other prizes. General information on corn and soybeans will also be available at the booth.

“We will have staff on hand to answer questions about ethanol, flex fuel vehicles and any other questions people might have about our Kansas crops,” Kansas Corn Growers Association Communications Director Sue Schulte said. “The 3i Show is a great opportunity for us to visit with growers and consumers about biofuels, corn and more.”

The 3i Show is a salute to industry, implements, and irrigation. The 3i Show started from a traveling exhibit in 1950. It is the largest free exposition of its kind in Kansas and has attained nationwide recognition.

This year, the 3i Show will feature a Kansas Lottery truck giveaway, consumer product demonstrations, crop protection information, cattle handling equipment displays, an ATV demonstration area, strip-till demonstrations, tractor/GPS demonstrations, and a variety of food vendors.

Exhibits will be open 9 A.M – 5 P.M. daily. 3i Show parking and admission is free. The 3i Show is sponsored by the Western Kansas Manufactures Association. For more information on the 3i Show or to view a complete list of exhibitors, visit www.3ishow.com.

4-29-11--NCGA Offers Members Access to NASCAR® Web Portal
April 29, 2011--Who says market development needs to be boring? Corn farmers have ventured into an exciting new partnership with NASCAR® that showcases the high –performance benefits of domestic, American Ethanol. More than75 million fans will hear this positive message thanks to your membership support.

As part of American Ethanol’s partnership with NASCAR, the National Corn Growers Association benefits from all the race circuit has to offer and NCGA’s 35,000 members are invited to join the fun.  NCGA has launched an online portal to all things NASCAR, an online connection is customized for NCGA by NASCAR. The Kansas Corn Commission is a partner in the American Ethanol Coalition.

In the “Deals” section of the Website, members have access to exclusive offers on the latest gear and unadvertised offers from Official NASCAR Partners and Licensees such as:

·         Bank of America    
·         DirectTV
·         Office Depot
·         Hotels like the Gaylord Texan and Hard Rock Las Vegas
·         Sprint Wireless
·         U Coat It floor coatings
·         UPS

Plus, a whole host of great benefits for NASCAR fans. Want to see the action in person? The “Race Tickets” section will hook you up with best deals on the circuit. NASCAR RacePoints is the official rewards program of NASCAR, where you can enroll and earn points when purchasing NASCAR apparel, merchandise, collectibles and experiences. On the “Fan Center” page, you can view weekly race videos, become part of NASCAR’s social network and find the NASCAR Fan Guide, wallpaper and screen saver downloads. Test your NASCAR knowledge every week for a chance to win amazing prizes in the “Play to Win” section.  

Log on to www.ncga.com/racing for more information. NCGA’s page also includes the freshest news on the American Ethanol partnership.

4-14-11--Kansas Atrazine BMPs—Oldies but Goodies
When you hear a song on the radio that’s been around for years, you find yourself singing along. Kansas farmers feel the same way about their atrazine best management practices. Through their state checkoffs, Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers funded research at Kansas State University to develop atrazine best management practices in 1996. Fifteen years later, growers are still using these BMPs to reduce atrazine runoff, according to Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

“Looking back at 1996, “The Macarena” was the #1 hit song. I’m sure many of our growers can still dance The Macarena, but they are more likely to remember many of the Kansas atrazine BMPs released that same year,” White said. “When you look at our use of BMPs including no-till and reduced till practices, our growers have been very proactive and successful in reducing atrazine runoff.”

Atrazine continues to be a target of environmental groups and trial attorneys. While the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water Standard for atrazine is a conservative 3 parts per billion, activists are pursuing lawsuits over atrazine levels that are well within the legal limits. The World Health Organization, however, recommended in October that the drinking water standard for atrazine should be set at 100 parts per billion.

“Atrazine continues to be the poster child of activists and junk scientists, but it is a necessary part of weed control for our corn and grain sorghum farmers,” White said. “Over the years, we have learned how to use much lower rates and more responsibly. In fact, atrazine is a key component for many growers in their use of conservation tillage, which has a multitude of environmental benefits.”

Farmers can choose the practices that fit best in their farm management scheme. The BMPs include practices like incorporating atrazine in the top two inches of soil, using pre-plant applications in the spring or fall; reduced rates, split applications and establishing vegetative or riparian buffers.

Vegetative buffers and riparian forest buffers continue to be a popular and effective method to reduce runoff for growers whose fields are near waterways. Buffers continue to be promoted by the Kansas Conservation Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as an effective way to reduce runoff.

“In addition to reducing runoff, conservation buffers offer important habitat for wildlife,” White said. “This is a win-win for growers and the environment.”

When considering Best Management Practices, farmers should select BMPs that fit within their management systems, are economical and will be most effective in reducing atrazine runoff.

“K-State Extension offices can advise growers on best management practices that work best local areas, and I would encourage growers to visit their local extension office for advice,” White said. “Many of the BMPs that were developed are widely used today and are a basic part of farming practices.”

3-31-11--Kansas Corn and Sorghum Growers Continue to Step Up to Meet Demand
Kansas corn and sorghum producers will plant a combined 7.6 million acres of feedgrains this year, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service Prospective Plantings report. Kansas corn farmers are expected to plant 5.1 million acres of corn, up five percent from 2010 and the largest area planted since 1936. Kansas sorghum farmers are expected to plant 2.5 million acres, up six percent from last year. Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association said growers are committed to meeting the needs of their customers.

“I think it is important to look at the corn and sorghum numbers both individually and together as feed grains. Both are used to satisfy the needs of the livestock and ethanol industries,” White said. “Both crops are showing healthy increases planting expectations. Between the two crops, Kansas feedgrains are pegged to pick up 400,000 acres since last year. That’s impressive.”

At 581 million bushels, the 2010 corn crop was the second largest in history, behind the record-setting 2009 crop. Combined corn and sorghum production in 2010 was 752.3 million bushels.

Click here for the KASS Prospective Plantings Report

3-18-11--Brownback, Governors Call for Better Corn-to-Ethanol Reporting Methods at USDA
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, as chair of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, signed a letter urging US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to change the way USDA reports the use of corn for ethanol production. The coalition letter asserts that the USDA’s reporting method downplays the importance of distillers grains. The biofuels coalition includes governors of 34 states from Washington to New York to Texas. One third of the grain used in ethanol production returns to the livestock feeding stream as distillers grains, a high-nutrient livestock feed.

The March 15 letter from the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, signed by Governor Brownback and Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton stated:
“In recent months, global weather disruptions, rising oil prices, commodity speculation and rising incomes that drive increased demand for grains and meat proteins have combined to once again put upward price pressure on corn and other commodities. Predictably, first-generation ethanol opponents have begun to resurrect the food vs fuel attacks that reached a fever pitch during the 2008 commodity price spikes, despite the fact that numerous studies by global food organizations, the Congressional Budget Office and other reputable experts confirmed that ethanol was not a significant factor. In recent days, some pundits have even gone so far as to blame ethanol for the destabilization in Egypt. Unfortunately, USDA’s monthly corn supply and demand reports provide support for this sensationalized reporting because they identify “corn demand for ethanol” without immediately noting this is gross demand, and not the net use of the starch portion of the corn kernel. This overstates the use of corn for ethanol by as much as a factor of two or more, and fails to inform the public about what is truly happening in the food and fuel supply chain.”

The ProExporter Network estimates that the ethanol industry will provide the equivalent of approximately 1.2 billion bushels of livestock feed, in the form of distillers grains and corn gluten feed. Kansas Corn Growers Association President Bob Timmons, Fredonia, said a more accurate reporting method by USDA would give a more precise picture of corn use in ethanol.

“Right now, people look at the USDA reports and see the number of bushels going into ethanol, but they don’t see that the plants only use the starch and return a third of the grain as livestock feed in the form of DDGS,” Timmons said. “This leads people to exaggerate how much corn is used to make ethanol. Grain production, ethanol production and livestock production aren’t competing interests—they are complementary.”

The letter from the Governors Biofuels Coalition to USDA is an important step toward better reporting.

“Governor Brownback years of experience advocating for agriculture and biofuels as a former Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Senator and now as our Governor,” Timmons said. “The leadership Governor Brownback and the coalition are taking on this issue is a significant step.”

(Left) Bill Pauly, Denton, KS participates at Corn Congress

3-11-11—Kansas Well-Represented at Corn Congress

Six Kansas Corn Growers represented the state at Corn Congress last week in Tampa, Fla. in conjunction with the 2011 Commodity Classic. The Corn Congress delegates from Kansas included Charles Foltz, Garnett; Bill Pauly, Denton; Roger Pine, Lawrence; Pat Ross, Lawrence; Bob Timmons, Fredonia; and Ken McCauley, White Cloud.

The Kansas delegates were part of 125 delegates representing 25 states that met Thursday and Saturday and spent hours discussing and voting on initiatives that reflect NCGA’s commitment to creating and expanding opportunity for its members. Grower leaders updated the organization’s policy book on a number of topics including ethanol and the farm bill.

“A great deal of discussion amongst growers took place. This is critical for agriculture and more specifically, the corn industry, during this time with the approaching 2012 farm bill and increased regulatory burdens being discussed in Washington,” said Ken McCauley.

Among the additions to the policy book were statements that the ethanol blenders tax credit should be transitioned to a market-based safety net for the ethanol industry and that NCGA should investigate transitioning direct payments into programs that allow producers the ability to manage risk while assuring food security.

Delegates also defined what a “safety net” means – a combination of risk management tools available to producers that have the ability to protect against revenue losses due to circumstances beyond their control.

At Corn Congress, it was recognized that NCGA was one of the leaders in securing the funds to map the corn genome and that research needs to continue. Delegates called on NCGA to develop an aggressive strategic plan for public research in functional genomics and translational genetics of corn and focus policy and research dollars to that end.

2-24-11--Roberts: Production Agriculture’s Role Is a Matter of National Security; Government Should Help, Not Hinder
Senator Pat Roberts told growers at the Kansas Commodity Classic this week that America needs a strong agriculture sector as a matter of national security. Roberts spoke at the Kansas Commodity Classic Feb. 22 at Great Bend. The Classic was sponsored by the Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association, and the Kansas Agriculture Network. The meeting drew about 250 farmers and others involved in agriculture.

Roberts said he supports agriculture taking its fair share of budget cuts in proportion to all other agencies and programs, that government needs to continue to provide a strong safety net for agriculture, pass vital free trade agreements and reign in abuses of regulatory power by federal agencies. Strong farm production is necessary for national and world security, he said. Roberts is Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“We must give our farmers and ranchers the tools you need to be successful, maintain your operations, and continue to expand your production. Our government, its Congress, and its regulatory agencies need to get out of the way and let you do your jobs.”

“We know that those of us in Washington must make the difficult choices to get our fiscal house in order. Yes, that means those of us in agriculture will also be faced with difficult budget decisions,” Roberts said. “I have made clear to my colleagues that agriculture will do its part. But I have also made clear that any reductions to agriculture spending must be fair and proportional to what all other federal agencies and programs are being asked to give.

“I have also made clear that we must maintain a safety-net for our producers and that if we are going to take a hard look at USDA spending everything must be on the table – that includes the 84 percent of current USDA spending that has nothing to do with commodity and conservation programs. We all know that prices have been high before and they’ve always come back down. That is why one of my top priorities as ranking member is to preserve a safety-net. I promise you I will do everything I can for you in this fight.”

Strengthening export markets for American-made products is important to the nation’s economy. The administration must provide leadership for the passage of the free trade agreements with Korea, Panama and Columbia.

“The President needs to send the Korean agreement to the Congress for approval and it is time for the United States to quit trying to force feed our labor and environmental policies to Panama and Columbia before we’ll pass those agreements. Just get the job done.”

Roberts also called for an end to the abuse of regulatory power by federal agencies.

“At no time have we seen the unprecedented abuse of power through the regulatory process that we are currently experiencing. Name almost any regulatory issue that could bring agriculture to its knees and halt our move forward to continued expanded production and improved yields, and I can just about guarantee you the EPA has a proposal to do it: rural fugitive dust; pesticide permit applications; regulation of all waters, which in EPA’s view includes every dried up farm pond that no self-respecting duck would ever land on; spray drift; tractor emission standards.”

Roberts, who served as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he was standing up for agriculture as a matter of national security.

“Let me be clear: I am not ashamed of production agriculture and you the producers that feed this state, nation, and a troubled and hungry world,” Roberts said. “Production agriculture’ is not, should not, and will not be a dirty word on my watch. A well fed world, is a much safer and stable place than a hungry world. Full bellies lead to stability, economic growth and peace. Hungry bellies lead to discontent, instability, and extremism. One must look no further than the issues of extremism and terrorism we have experienced in much of the Middle East this past decade, or recent events of unrest in Egypt and elsewhere in recent weeks. Yes, much of the recent unrest has been fueled by a long simmering political discontent. But, if you look deeper into these issues, you’ll see that many have been fueled by issues of hunger, unstable food supplies, and a lack of economic growth. We must feed this world.”

Production agriculture must continue to grow more food to feed the world and government should help, not hinder those efforts, Roberts said.

“We must give our farmers and ranchers the tools you need to be successful, maintain your operations, and continue to expand your production. Our government, its Congress, and its regulatory agencies need to get out of the way and let you do your jobs.”
 

2-23-11--Senator Roberts Addresses Kansas Commodity Classic in Great Bend
GREAT BEND, KS – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today addressed the Kansas Commodity Classic in Great Bend. The following is the text of his prepared remarks:

“Let me assure you that as we begin this new trail ride serving as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee, I understand fully, as the only person to ever serve as both Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and Ranking Member on Senate Agriculture Committee, the challenges, and I will need your advice and counsel more than ever.

“Indeed, the task ahead is not easy.

“But as we begin this ride together, let me be clear: I am not ashamed of production agriculture and you the producers that feed this state, nation, and a troubled and hungry world.

“‘Production agriculture’ is not, should not, and will not be a dirty word on my watch. I will be your champion.

“On the grains and fiber side, we are blessed with current prices that are at spectacular levels. Wheat is over $9/bushel, corn is near $7/bushel, and beans are over $13/bushel. For those of you that now grow cotton, prices on that front are at levels not seen since the Civil War. That’s the good news.

“The bad news is that these high commodity prices are creating challenges for our livestock producers. I am well aware of the pressure this is causing, and I assure our cowboys it is something we’re watching closely.
“These prices are also coming at a time of previously unthinkable deficit and debt levels in our nation’s spending. That means agriculture and agriculture spending are an easy target for political sound bites.

“Many in Washington argue that due to the high prices we’re currently experiencing, we no longer need farm programs. They say: ‘Let’s get rid of them, let’s do away with them, why should we be paying farmers to farm?’

“Well, it is pretty easy to talk with your mouth full – especially in Washington – when you live in the country where you can enjoy the safest, most affordable food supply in the world.

“Even the president got in on the act this past week with his budget proposal. He basically said, ‘I’m for agriculture and producers – except those 10 percent that represent 80 percent of our nation’s bountiful harvest. We need to eliminate USDA assistance for them.’

“It was a pretty bold proposal. Especially for someone that put out a budget that spends more, borrows more and taxes more while making not one serious proposal to tackle entitlement reform.

“In fact, the president’s budget proposal will raise the national deficit to $1.6 trillion over the next 10 years.

“We know that level of spending is not sustainable. We know it is a bill our children and grandchildren cannot afford.

“We know that those of us in Washington must make the difficult choices to get our fiscal house in order. Yes, that means those of us in agriculture will also be faced with difficult budget decisions.

“I have made clear to my colleagues that agriculture will do its part. But I have also made clear that any reductions to agriculture spending must be fair and proportional to what all other federal agencies and programs are being asked to give.

“I have also made clear that we must maintain a safety-net for our producers and that if we are going to take a hard look at USDA spending everything must be on the table – that includes the 84 percent of current USDA spending that has nothing to do with commodity and conservation programs.

“We all know that prices have been high before and they’ve always come back down. That is why one of my top priorities as ranking member is to preserve a safety-net. I promise you I will do everything I can for you in this fight.

“While the budget will be a huge part of our focus in Washington this year, I will keep my eye on several other priorities that will likely have a more significant, long term impact on agriculture than any debate we will have on farm policy and programs.

“We must continue to expand our overseas trade and continue to open new markets. That means it is time to get off the dime and pass the Korean, Panama, and Columbian Free Trade Agreements.

“The President needs to send the Korean agreement to the Congress for approval and it is time for the United States to quit trying to force feed our labor and environmental policies to Panama and Columbia before we’ll pass those agreements. Just get the job done.

“Another top priority is to reign in the regulatory power grab of our federal agencies. At no time have we seen the unprecedented abuse of power through the regulatory process that we are currently experiencing.

“Recently, the president responded to the hue and cry of the business and agriculture sectors by saying he was ordering all his federal agencies to take a hard look at all proposed regulations and perform cost-benefit analysis to see if they should move forward.

“It is about time somebody called a time out, but I want to be sure the president and his federal agencies carry through on this proposal. That is why I have introduced the Regulatory Responsibility for our Economy Act.

“This legislation codifies the president’s executive order, forces agencies and the Office of Management and Budget to undertake cost-benefit-analysis and removes the “loop-holes” the president included in his executive order to bypass stakeholder input on regulations. Late last week I had 28 Senators join in cosponsoring my legislation.

“We have got to put a halt to this regulatory madness. There is no greater threat to the modern miracle of United States Agriculture than the overreach or our regulatory agencies – especially the EPA.

“Or, as my good friend and colleague from Iowa, Chuck Grassley said, ‘EPA stands for – Ending Production Agriculture.’

“Name almost any regulatory issue that could bring agriculture to its knees and halt our move forward to continued expanded production and improved yields, and I can just about guarantee you the EPA has a proposal to do it:

• Rural Fugitive Dust
• Pesticide Permit Applications, and
• Regulation of all waters, which in EPA’s view includes every dried up farm pond that no self-respecting duck would ever land on.
• Spray Drift
• Tractor Emission Standards

“At the same time, we’ve got interests groups and some in the administration that say conventional agriculture and biotech crops are bad.

“My friends, it has got to stop. Not just for the survival of our Kansas farms and ranches, not just for the survival of this business we call agriculture, but because of the moral imperative we have as a nation.

“Over the next several decades the world’s population will rise from 6 billion to 9 billion people. During that same time frame we must double our agriculture production in order to feed a troubled and hungry world.

“Let me repeat that: We must double our agriculture production over the same time period.

“We can only do that through common sense policies based on sound science that will allow you our producers to do what you need to get the job done.

“I do not argue with those who support organic or locally grown agriculture. Some of you do that in your own operations and I know that there is an important niche market to be served there.

“But the simple fact of the matter is that we are not going to double production through those farming methods.

“It will only occur through conventional farming techniques that combine the use of important conservation practices with the use of improved seed varieties that increase drought and disease resistance while increasing yields and reducing water consumption.

“As I said earlier, this is a moral imperative. It is also a matter of national security.

“A well fed world, is a much safer and stable place than a hungry world. Full bellies lead to stability, economic growth and peace. Hungry bellies lead to discontent, instability, and extremism.

“One must look no further than the issues of extremism and terrorism we have experienced in much of the Middle East this past decade, or recent events of unrest in Egypt and elsewhere in recent weeks.

“Yes, much of the recent unrest has been fueled by a long simmering political discontent. But, if you look deeper into these issues, you’ll see that many have been fueled by issues of hunger, unstable food supplies, and a lack of economic growth.

“When nations are hungry, their people are hungry. More often than not, if the people are hungry it also means they do not have jobs or economic opportunities. If they are hungry and without economic opportunity it means they are susceptible to unrest and often violence and extremism.

“Hunger and the lack of economic opportunity have fueled the political discontent in the Middle East that have led to the protests and uncertain future we see today. Hunger and a lack of opportunity are what have created the opening in places like Afghanistan to sow the seeds of hatred and extremism that threaten our nation.

“We must feed this world.

“We must give our farmers and ranchers the tools you need to be successful, maintain your operations, and continue to expand your production. Our government, its Congress, and its regulatory agencies need to get out of the way and let you do your jobs.

“Nine billion people and a world hungry for nutrition, peace, and stability are depending on it.

“Thank you. Thank you for all that you and your families do to feed this troubled and hungry world. It is my honor and privilege to be your Senior Senator and Ranking Member.”

2-11-11--Kansas Native, Bowyer, To Serve As NASCAR Spokesman for Ethanol

American Ethanol announced a sponsor partnership with Richard Childress Racing and its No. 33 Chevrolet driver, Kansan Clint Bowyer, for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas, will serve as an official spokesman for American Ethanol on behalf of America’s green, clean alternative fuel component. American Ethanol will be the primary sponsor of the No. 33 Chevrolet car at the June 5th Kansas Speedway 400 and an associate sponsor of the car for the rest of the season. The Kansas Corn Commission, along with several state corn organizations, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers are partners in the American Ethanol coalition.

“This is big news for Kansas,” according to Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Mike Brzon. “A Kansas driver is the official NASCAR spokesman for ethanol. We look forward to working with Clint Bowyer through our American Ethanol coalition to reach millions of people across the nation with a positive message about domestically produced, renewable ethanol fuel.”

Growth Energy led the effort to create American Ethanol, the coalition that signed a partnership agreement with NASCAR to promote the use of domestically-produced ethanol from. The National Corn Growers Association and several state corn organization are partners in American Ethanol, putting America’s farmers in partnership with ethanol producers and NASCAR to promote ethanol.

Bowyer’s first race as American Ethanol spokesman will be this weekend at Daytona.

“Born and raised in the Midwest, it’s truly an honor to support American farmers as they strive to develop energy independence for our country,” said Bowyer. “I look forward to representing American Ethanol both on and off the track beginning this weekend in Daytona.”

Ethanol is the most commercially-viable alternative that America currently has to offset the economic impact of foreign petroleum. Corn ethanol reduces emissions by 59 percent. And by strengthening America’s energy independence, ethanol helps create American jobs – studies have shown that for every $1 sent overseas for oil, $1.55 leaves the U.S. economy.

"Corn farmers have played a big role funding research to make ethanol production more efficient and promoting its many benefits," said Bart Schott, National Corn Growers Association president. "Now, it is time to showcase all ethanol has to offer on a national stage. Working with professional pacesetters like Clint Bowyer and Richard Childress Racing, NASCAR, and Growth Energy is a remarkable opportunity for America's family farmers."

This year, NASCAR embraced the desire for greener, American-job-producing fuels when it announced its decision to move to Sunoco Green E15 for NASCAR's three national series.

“Richard Childress Racing is proud to partner with Growth Energy on our No. 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Growth Energy’s program of job creation and reduced foreign oil dependence through American ethanol is exactly what the United States needs in these tough economic times.”

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board charged with investing the state’s half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education.

1-28-11--Vinduska Explores Opportunities in India
 

Kansas Corn Commissioner and U.S. Grains Council Chairman Terry Vinduska joined other USGS officers as well as officers from the National Corn Growers Association on the USGC Officer Mission in India this week.

An emerging middle class numbering nearly 200 million people backed by continued strong economic growth – anticipated to be 8.8 percent this year – is raising food security concerns within India, according to U.S. Grains Council leaders who were on the Council’s Officers Mission to India this week.

“These rising expectations are, in turn, putting pressure on food production and infrastructure,” said Vinduska. “However, we believe U.S. corn, barley and sorghum growers have the products and tools to help India improve its food security and quality in the future.”

“We found significant opportunities to work with the corn milling and dairy industries, helping them identify ways to expand their market as India’s population and middle class continues to grow,” Vinduska said. “The relationship between India and the United States is positive, and we aim to continue that through cooperating and building partnerships in agriculture.”

Thomas C. Dorr, USGC president and CEO, said that while it is clear there are many challenges in India, “its people are engaged in a robust economy that will create long term improvements in their quality of life.”

While in India’s state of Gujarat, Dorr said those on the mission had the opportunity to meet wet milling and dairy producers that are strong, vibrant and innovative.

“There are opportunities to build partnerships within these sectors,” he said. “This would be of great value going forward because it would help us determine how best to support India’s growing needs in agriculture and how we can perhaps meet those needs with U.S. feed grains and their related co-products.”

Vinduska said there also seems to be an eagerness to explore how to better understand biotechnology and the issues surrounding its use in agriculture, adding that many believe a broader acceptance of biotechnology is coming.

“It is challenging for Indian farmers to communicate to policy makers and customers their interest in and respect for these new technologies,” he said. “Over time, perhaps Indian farm organizations and ag media can become more organized to help tell this story.”

The Council’s Officers Mission continues a directive from the organization’s Board of Directors to further explore opportunities for the organization in India.

“We are encouraging open trade policies that allow trust and market forces enhance trade relationships that build over time,” Dorr said. “This could provide tremendous opportunities for India to enhance food security efforts through trade.”

Vinduska noted that while the Council has a consultant in India, the Board is considering opening an office in the country.

“As an organization, we need to remain flexible and adapt to market opportunities,” he said. “We opened an office in Panama last year to better connect to key markets in that region and it is worth considering to do the same in India.”

1-21-11--Roberts, Combest Headline Kansas Commodity Classic Feb. 22

Senator Pat Roberts and former House Ag Committee Chair Larry Combest will be featured at the Kansas Commodity Classic on Feb. 22 in Great Bend. The Kansas corn, wheat and grain sorghum associations along with the Kansas Agriculture Network are teaming up to sponsor the annual Kansas Commodity Classic on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at the Highland Hotel and Convention Center in Great Bend.
 
All farmers are invited to attend the free event, which packs marketing, weather, policy and technology information into the day's activities.
 
"We have a great opportunity to bring Senator Roberts and Congressman Combest, two major farm policy experts onto the same stage at the Kansas Commodity Classic," says Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association and Kansas Corn Growers Association.
 
Justin Gilpin, chief executive officer of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, adds that the Kansas Commodity Classic will give producers in-depth insight into the factors that most influence on-farm profitability: weather, markets and policy.
 
"We are excited to team up with the Kansas Agriculture Network and the experience they have with their popular Farm Profit Seminars," Gilpin said. "We'll feature not only top level farm policy discussions, but also excellent sessions in marketing, weather as well as updates in the latest in technology for our crops.
 
Speakers include:
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts
Larry Combest, former House Agriculture Committee Chair
Betty Corbin, Corbin Investments, Towanda, Kan.
Joel Widenor, Commodity Weather Group, Bethesda, MD

In addition, industry experts from each commodity will tell producers about exciting new technologies coming down the road for wheat, corn and grain sorghum. Topics include:
Drought Tolerant Corn Traits
 Over-the-Top Weed Control in Sorghum
 The Future of Wheat Breeding: Public/Private Collaborations, Biotech and What it Means for Farmers

The event will be moderated by Greg Akagi, farm director for the Kansas Agriculture Network.
"The Kansas Commodity Classic will be a one-stop opportunity for producers to learn from a top-notch lineup of speakers," Akagi says. "This promises to be a can't-miss event."
 
The event, which begins at 9 a.m. (registration at 8 a.m.) is free of charge and includes a complimentary luncheon. It will be held at the Highland Hotel and Convention Center in Great Bend. Pre-registration is appreciated by calling Kansas Wheat at 866-759-4328 or register by e-mail

12-21-10--Kansas Corn Yield Contest Winners Announced
Kansas growers posted high yields in the 2010 National Corn Yield Contest sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association. The highest winning Kansas yield came from Mark Wilbur of Leoti who won the Irrigated Division with a yield of 276.97 bushels per acre. The top non-irrigated Kansas yield winner was Jeff Koelzer of Onaga who won the state’s No Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated division with a yield of 247 bushels per acre. State winners represented six of the state’s nine crop reporting districts with winners from northwest, west central, southwest, north central, northeast and southeast Kansas.

“While Kansas didn’t have any national winners this year, our state’s yield contest participants posted some pretty good yields,” according to Sue Schulte, Director of Communications for the Kansas Corn Growers Association. “The yields of our 17 state winners averaged 233.6 bushels per acre. That is impressive considering the challenging growing conditions many of our growers experienced in 2010.”

The National Corn Yield Contest is in its 46th year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members. National and state yield contest winners will be recognized at the 2011 Commodity Classic March 3-5 in Tampa, Florida. The 2010 Corn Yield Contest Kansas winners are listed below:

Non-Irrigated
1. Corey Franken, Troy KS,  Pioneer 33D49 Yield: 219.1382
2. Tori Dickinson, Oswego KS, Pioneer 33D49 Yield: 211.2041
3. Hugh Kinsey, Troy KS, Pioneer 33D49 Yield: 210.7649

No Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated
1. Jeff Koelzer, Onaga KS, DEKALB DKC62-97 Yield: 247.0175
2. Mark Fenley, Troy KS, Pioneer 33D49 Yield: 227.8933
3. Harrison Idol Jr, Hiawatha KS, Pioneer 33D49 Yield: 221.1760

No Till/Strip Till Irrigated
1. Danny Koehn, Montezuma KS, Pioneer 32N72 Yield: 267.8716
2. Tyler Hands, Garden City KS, Pioneer 33Y75 Yield: 261.0376
3. Ed Goetz, Grainfield KS, Pioneer P1395XR Yield: 257.8310

Ridge Till Non-Irrigated
1. Todd Cyr, Clyde KS, Pioneer 32B34 Yield: 242.5472
2. Jimmy Elder, Linwood KS, Pioneer 33K44 Yield: 176.7543
3. LeRoy Elder, Linwood KS, Pioneer 33K44 Yield: 160.2736

Ridge Till Irrigated
1. Faye Cyr, Clyde KS, Pioneer 32B34 Yield: 255.4802
2. Lambert Bros, Clyde KS, Golden Harvest H-9377GT/CB/LL Yield: 216.0304

Irrigated
1. Mark Wilbur, Leoti KS, Pioneer 33D49 Yield: 276.9742
2. Merl Rexford, Meade KS, Pioneer 33H27 Yield: 274.5841
3. Double Diamond Grain & Cattle, Selden KS, Pioneer P1395XR Yield: 244.1198
 

Complete Listing of Kansas Corn Yield Contest Results

National Corn Yield Contest Results

12--17-10--Kansas Corn and Sorghum Farmers Applaud Extension of Ethanol Tax Provisions
A one-year extension of the ethanol blender’s credit is part of the compromise tax legislation that passed the House of Representatives last night. The extension bolsters an ethanol industry that provides jobs and economic growth in rural communities and states, helps keep fuel prices in check and reduces the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

The legislation extended vital tax policies that will help the domestic ethanol industry to continue its steady progress in providing more American-made fuel from feed grains and materials, according to Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

“Our ethanol industry provides jobs and great economic benefits for our rural communities and certainly is a bright spot in the Kansas economy,” White said. “While there is strong interest in developing new processes and feedstocks for ethanol, those advances will not come without a strong grain-based ethanol industry.”

The bill extended five ethanol provisions through 2011: the blender’s credit for ethanol; the tariff on imported ethanol; the Small Producer Tax Credit; the excise tax credits of alternative fuels, and the investment tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling facilities.

There are 11 ethanol plants in Kansas with a capacity of about 440 million gallons of ethanol, creating a market for about 157 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum. About 52 million bushels of the grain returns to the feeding stream as wet or dry distillers grains, a valued livestock feed.
 

Kansas Corn Joins American Ethanol NASCAR Partnership

The Kansas Corn Commission is a part of American Ethanol, a partnership with Growth Energy and NASCAR which includes the National Corn Growers Association and several state corn organizations. This new partnership was announced at an official NASCAR racing even in Las Vegas on Thursday. The announcement follows the racing organization’s announcement in October that all its races beginning in 2011 will be fueled with E15, a 15 percent ethanol blended fuel. Several ethanol supporters gathered to hear the announcement at a watch party in Wichita Thursday. Watch parties were held in several states to celebrate the NASCAR announcement.

Dave Vander Griend, president and CEO of Wichita-based ICM, Inc. told Wichita NASCAR watch party participants that the NASCAR partnership offers the ethanol industry an opportunity to promote ethanol as a high-performance, home-grown fuel.

The NASCAR partnership will help educate Americans about the value of corn ethanol for our nation’s economy and energy security, according to Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland.

“The Kansas Corn Commission saw this as a great opportunity to reach millions of people with a positive message about the value of ethanol as a high quality fuel made from the grains grown by American farmers,” Brzon said.

As part of the multi-year agreement, America Ethanol will be highlighted on every vehicle running in a NASCAR race and be prominent on NASCAR’s Green Flag. In addition, American Ethanol will sponsor a new award for every race, be featured on-site at race day events and more. American Ethanol will support drivers, teams and tracks with marketing, promotional activities and advertising.

“NASCAR and American Ethanol are ideal partners,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “NASCAR is a great American sport in its third generation of family ownership, and ethanol is produced from the harvest of family-owned farms across our country’s heartland.”

Led by Growth Energy, nearly 100 different entities – from individual ethanol plants to NCGA to biotech companies – are rallying around NASCAR to communicate their ethanol message.

The Kansas Corn Commission invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education. For more information on the Kansas Corn Commission, visit www.ksgrains.com. For more information on the American Ethanol partnership, visit www.americanethanolracing.com.

11-16-10-- White to Present on Atrazine at Kansas Agri Business Expo

Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association is scheduled to speak at the annual Agri Business Expo on Thursday, November 18th. White will bring listeners up to speed on his work with atrazine over the last decade along with describing his role with the current atrazine lawsuit. White’s presentation will take place at 9:45 AM in the 2nd floor Hyatt Ballrooms in Wichita.

In addition, the Kansas Corn Commission will be staffing a booth at the tradeshow to answer questions about the state corn checkoff and to discuss the efforts within the corn industry to increase education and market development.

The Kansas Agri Business Expo is scheduled to take place November 17-18 at the Century II Convention Center and Hyatt Hotel in Wichita. The tradeshow is jointly sponsored by the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association. It attracts over 1,300 attendees across the region from all facets of the agribusiness industry.

The Kansas Corn Growers Association represents growers in legislative and regulatory issues. The Kansas Corn Commission invests the half-cent per bushel checkoff in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education.

For more information about the Kansas Agri Business Expo or the Kansas Corn Growers Association, visit www.ksabe.org or www.ksgrains.com

11-15-10--Corn Groups from Kansas and Nation Honored with Award for Corn Farmers Coalition
The National Corn Growers Association, Kansas Corn Commission and several other state corn groups has been honored National Association of Farm Broadcasting with the Herb Plambeck Award for Creative Excellence. NCGA President Bart Schott accepted the award from NAFB President Greg Akagi. Akagi, farm broadcaster for WIBW radio and Kansas Agriculture Network, completed his term as NAFB president at the group’s convention in Kansas City last week.

“The Corn Farmers Coalition began as a project of several of our state organizations to educate Washington policymakers about the value of today’s corn farmers,” NCGA President Bart Schott said. He was on hand to pick up the honor at NAFB’s annual awards banquet Thursday evening. “Our states worked very hard to develop and expand a well-conceived and powerful program in 2009 and 2010, and the coming year brings many more opportunities to make sure those who influence legislation and regulation are informed about what we do.”

The central message of the Corn Farmers Coalition campaign is that family farmers are growing more with less thanks to technology and innovation. Productivity is increasing as farmers adopt more sustainable farming methods on the same acreage. The Coalition used extensive advertising in the Washington metro system and airport; print advertising in political publications; online ads targeting the Capitol Hill community, and radio commercials.

Member corn states, including Kansas, placed the radio commercials, produced by Nebraska-based David and Associates, on stations in more than a dozen states from Maryland to Colorado. The commercials were produced to sound like a call-in radio show with the host answering questions about corn and farming.

“While the goal of the Corn Farmers Coalition is to provide information about corn farming to decision-makers in Washington, DC, we have found that the informational messages we developed resonate with people across the nation,” Schulte said. Schulte serves on the Corn Farmers Coalition steering committee. “The CFC makes its materials available to the state corn groups—not only the radio ads, but also materials from print and online promotions.”

Kansas Broadcaster Akagi Honored at Banquet
Greg Akagi was honored at the NAFB President’s banquet on Friday. Kansas Corn Commissioner Ken McCauley of White Cloud and Kansas Corn Commission Director of Communications Sue Schulte attended the banquet. McCauley is past president of the NCGA.

“Kansas is lucky to have leaders like Greg to represent agriculture not only in our state, but also on a national level,” McCauley said. “He is an outspoken and respected advocate for Kansas agriculture.

10-19-10--Kansas Corn Farmers Zip Through Harvest, Bringing in Second Largest Crop in History

Dry weather has allowed Kansas farmers have harvested 89 percent of the state’s corn crop, well above the five year average of 67 percent, according to Monday’s Crop Progress report by the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service. At this time last year, the Kansas corn crop was only 43 percent harvested. The 2009 harvest was hampered by wet weather. Last year, Kansas farmers didn’t have 89 percent of the crop harvested until Nov. 30.

“Last year, it seemed our harvest would never end. Many of our growers were in the fields on Thanksgiving Day and were concerned they might spend Christmas on a combine as well,” according to Kansas Corn Commission Director of Communications Sue Schulte.

According to the report, harvest is basically completed in four of the state’s nine crop reporting regions. East Central Kansas is 92 percent complete; Southwest Kansas is 95 percent complete; Central Kansas is 98 percent complete and Southeast and South Central Kansas are both 99 percent complete. The areas with the most corn still in the field are Northwest and North Central Kansas with 77 and 78 percent respectively.

Kansas Ag Statistics November crop production report estimated the Kansas corn crop at 585 million bushels. This would be the second largest crop in history. In 2009, Kansas harvested a record 598 million bushels. The November report is the last crop estimate until the final report is issued in January.

“Many of our growers have told us their yields are not as good as last year, which was a record year for yield at 155 bushels per acre. This year, KASS has estimated the Kansas yield at 130 bushels per acre on 4.8 million acres, the highest acreage since 1936,” Schulte said. “However, we won’t know final crop production numbers until the January report.”

Even with lower yields, Kansas growers managed to produce the second largest crop in history. The US crop is now pegged to be the third largest crop in history with a projected surplus of about 1 billion bushels, proving that growers are able to provide ample supply for all their customers. For the first time, distillers grains, a coproduct of ethanol production, will displace more than 1 billion bushels of corn in domestic livestock rations this marketing year, providing a high-quality, high-value feed product for livestock producers, both in the United States and abroad.

The dry fall weather has helped to speed along harvest, but has taken a toll on the state’s soil moisture.

“While we had too much rain last fall, I think most of our growers would agree that we could use some rain this fall,” Schulte said. “With fall harvest nearing completion and most of the Kansas wheat crop now planted, some nice soaking rains would be a great asset, boosting the wheat and building moisture in the ground for our spring planted crops as well.”

The Kansas Corn Commission invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, promotion and education. Learn more at www.ksgrains.com

9-24-10--Kansas Corn, Grain Sorghum Heard at Senate Ag Hearing on EPA and Agriculture
White speaks about atrazine, activists, attorneys and subpoenas

EPA’s handling of atrazine regulation was one of the topics at a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing Thursday. At an oversight hearing on EPA and agriculture Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee heard from the Jere White executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. Also speaking at the hearing was EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Rich Hillman, Arkansas Farm Bureau; and Jay Vroom, CropLife America.

White expressed his concern over the process used by EPA in its latest round of Science Advisory Panels.

“I explained how EPA has gone through an extensive scientific evaluation of atrazine that began in 1995, and the fact that they had just reregistered the product in 2006 with more than 6,000 studies being involved in that process. Yet, after all of that scientific research, discussion and decision making, EPA suddenly announced last fall a new re-review of atrazine after a coordinated media blitz surrounding a Natural Resources Defense Council study late last summer. So we have EPA is using a great amount of resources in a politically motivated round of SAPs, which clearly was a response to activist media hype,” White said.

White also told the committee about a rash of subpoenas issued out of the Holiday Shores case, an Illinois state court case in which trial attorneys are representing some community water systems seeking large payouts from the makers of atrazine.

“Several grower groups who have participated in the stakeholder process at EPA on atrazine have been targeted to receive subpoenas for massive amounts of records and information,” White said. “About three-fourths of the ag groups who participated in last week’s Science Advisory Panel at EPA had been served subpoenas before the SAP.”

At that time, the Kansas Corn Growers and Grain Sorghum associations had not yet received subpoenas.

“In my presentation at the SAP, I brought it to the attention of the panel that people were being harassed for their participation in the process. When I returned home from Washington DC, I was rewarded with three subpoenas.”

White told the Senate Agriculture Committee that the timing of the subpoenas seemed to be more than a coincidence.

“They are sending a clear message that if you are going to be an advocate for atrazine, the trial attorneys are going to make you pay a price,” he said. “When I explained this at the Senate Ag Committee, senators on both sides of the aisles were clearly concerned.

White’s written comments submitted to the Senate Agriculture Committee may be found at www.ksgrains.com

9-15-10--Snippets from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Panel on Atrazine
We’ve done our best to listen in on the Science Advisory Panel on Atrazine being conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency this week. Much of the testimony at the Science Advisory Panel has been, well, scientific. However, we listened in on some good comments made during the public comment period today by Dr. David Bridges, who is the President of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia; Gary Marshall, who is the Executive Director of the Missouri Corn Growers Association based in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Kansas Corn Growers Executive Director Jere White. Also speaking with the Triazine Network group at the SAP public comments session today were John Hall of Hall and Associates, Washington, DC. His firm handles water issues and he spoke to the panel about the atrazine in the Safe Water Drinking Act. James C. Lamb, a toxicologist with Exponent, Inc. joined the Triazine Network in giving comments at the SAP. Check back for more comments and information from the SAP.

Dr. David Bridges: President, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, GA
Follow this link for Dr. Bridges' Written Remarks

“A decision against atrazine would not be a carbon neutral decision. The loss of atrazine would reverse a 30-year continuous trend in the adoption of conservation tillage practices.”

Without conservation tillage:

--Erosion will increase, along with turbidity in streams

--Nutrient loading will increase

--Biological diversity on the farm will decrease due to more tillage.

Dr. Bridges warned that “Caution on one front represents risk on another.”

“If you take atrazine away and the rest of the triazines away . . .more herbicides will be used. And how many other herbicides have 50 years of experience in use? Stewardship on this product has exceeded stewardship on any other product. “

“The loss of atrazine and the triazine herbicides will result in an unprecedented interruption of the world’s most productive corn production area.”

Dr. Bridges said other herbicides are more expensive and “come without the benefit of 50 years of experience—much less study and much less experience than atrazine.”

Without atrazine, farmers would become more dependent on glyphosate, leading to an increase in glyphosate resistant weeds.

Gary Marshall, Executive Director, Missouri Corn Growers Association
Follow this link for Mr. Marshall's Written Remarks

To switch to an alternative product you would have less efficiency and an increased cost. The loss of atrazine would cost Missouri growers $30 per acre, Marshall said.

“That’s $100 million to the State of Missouri and represents a $2.5 billion hit to U.S. growers.”

Atrazine is crucial for growers to control weeds using different modes of action which helps to lessen herbicide resistance in weeds, Marshall said. “We have glyphosate technology, but now we have weed resistance in glyphosate. We need atrazine to deal with these problem weeds.”

Jere White, Executive Director, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association
Follow this link for Mr. White's Presentation

“Some might try to suggest that somehow a Bush administration SAP different from a Clint SAP, is different from an Obama SAP. In our view, an SAP is an SAP. I trust you, the Science Advisory Panel to fully consider the scientific evidence on atrazine.”

White questioned the transparency of the process and how the current set of Science Advisory Panels had evolved. White pointed to a report by the environment activist group, Natural Resources Defense Council, released in August 2009. NRDC seeded a story on the report with the New York Times, Huffington Post and others. Also, White noted that at the same time trial attorney firms were scouting for water systems to join a class action suit against the makers of atrazine. Soon after, EPA announced the series of Science Advisory Panels on atrazine. White said an EPA official has said, “they had been directed to assemble a small army with a very large task and a very short time frame.”

Follow this link to view Triazine Network Presentations given at the EPA Science Advisory Panel on Sept. 15, 2010
 

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9-8-10-- Corn and grain sorghum growers join state ag groups to offer hands-on ag education at Kansas State Fair

The Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Corn Commission and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association will be teaching the public about agriculture at the Agriland exhibit at the Kansas State Fair. Agriland was built to engage the senses and stimulate the minds of children and adults alike with interactive activities that teach the importance of Kansas agriculture.

Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers will be on hand to answer questions at the Agriland exhibit on Friday, September 10th and Sunday, September 19. Agriland is located in the Pride of Kansas building and is open during the following times:
Friday, September 10 – 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 11 through Saturday, September 18 – 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 19 – 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Kansas Corn Growers Association board member Charles Foltz, Garnett has volunteered at Agriland for several years. “It is fun to watch the kids go through Agriland. They can sit in a combine cab, milk a cow, and learn about all kinds of Kansas agriculture,” Foltz said. “The new soil trailer will give kids and grownups a new perspective on agriculture from the ground up. “

School teachers will have the opportunity to sign up at Agriland for a chance to win one of five classroom presentations by the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. The presentations focus on teaching students where their food comes from. To be eligible to win, teachers must visit Agriland at the fair with their class.

Agriland features a variety of exhibits including a greenhouse, beef exhibit, a life-size milking cow, a food pyramid display and a soil tunnel provided by the Miami County Conservation District. Agriland also gives youth an opportunity to dig into buckets filled with grain and a tractor ride simulation to see how Kansas crops are harvested in the field.

Kansas Corn and Grain Sorghum work with the following groups to sponsor Agriland: Kansas Department of Agriculture; Kansas Beef Council; Kansas Dairy Association and Commission; Midwest Dairy Association; Kansas Wheat; Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission; Kansas Soybean Association and Commission; Kansas Cotton Association; Kansas Agriwomen; Kansas Sunflower Commission; and the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom and Kansas FFA chapters.

The 2010 Kansas State Fair runs from September 10-19 in Hutchinson, KS. For more information on fair events, visit www.kansasstatefair.com.

8-27-10-- Farmers Become Proactive Through Social Media

Farmers far and wide are educating consumers and sharing best practices with one another through
social media. This Wednesday, the Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and the Kansas
Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) held a social media workshop in an effort to get the
growers “plugged-in” to the online community.

Professional speaker and agriculture advocate, Michele Payn-Knoper, led the group in setting up
accounts on Facebook and Twitter. Payn-Knoper owns and operates her own business, Cause Matters,
where she works to connect farm gate to consumer plate through programs in agriculture advocacy,
social media strategy and grassroots marketing.

Today, people have access to breaking news, real time market information, and expert answers
right at their fingertips through social media. As Payn-Knoper states in her Social Media Training
Workbook, “Today’s Internet experience is about efficient community interaction and information
exchange; agriculture loses when farmers don’t engage in that community. Arm yourself with a base
knowledge of social media to leverage it as a tool for your farm with customers and influencers. After all,
farmers offer the best voice for agriculture in social media.”

Around 20 corn and grain sorghum farmers gathered in Hutchinson, laptops and smart phones in-tow and
gave four hours of their time to learn the basics of communicating through social media. Payn-Knoper
urged farmers to spend just 15 minutes a day promoting agriculture.

“With 150 million users on Facebook and 50 million tweets being sent daily, farmers have an opportunity
to be proactive in educating people about agriculture. Farmers are the experts and if they don’t tell their
story, activist groups will,” says DeEtta Bohling, KCGA and KGSPA communications specialist.

Bohling continues, “Each day consumers are forming opinions about the agriculture industry, though 98.5% of them
are not actively engaged in farming. This is a business decision for farmers—a decision to help protect
their livelihood.”

The social media workshop was a joint effort with Cause Matters, the National Corn Growers Association,
Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Corn Commission, and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers
Association. For more information on social media, visit www.ksgrains.com.

8-3-2010--Telling the Story One Tweet at a Time

Reprinted from NCGA's Friday's Farmer profile

When Tom Tibbits gets his corn in – or is battling the weather to manage his crops – chances are he’ll tweet about it.

Tom farms with his dad John and granddad Riley near Minneapolis, Kansas and enjoys having conversations on Twitter (his handle is @ksfarmboy, but also takes the time to write a blog that includes a number of photos in addition to an explanation.

“Pictures give people a chance to see what’s happening instead of me just explaining it in words,” he said. “It really helps tell the story.”

Tom, who has three young kids with his wife Sandy, said he spent some time working away from the family farm in between stints at college. “I lived in a suburb for a while and got to see urban sprawl first hand,” he said. “After coming back to the farm, I saw a report about the great interest some people living in the city had about how wheat is grown. That got me thinking that I should try and share my own story of farming with anyone who would care to read about it.”

That’s how Tom’s Tales of a Kansas Farmer blog got started – but after getting a new smart phone, he decided to give Twitter a try. “I thought Twitter was a neat tool and have enjoyed it,” he said. “It gives me a chance to be involved in a lot of conversations and help people to better understand what we do and why.”

He encouraged those who are interested or have questions about farming to go online and to talk to farmers. “There are a growing number of farmers out there who would appreciate being asked a question about what they do,” he said. “They are on Twitter, Facebook and blogging, it’s just a matter of looking.”

The Tibbits’ farm produces corn, wheat, sorghum, soybeans and sunflowers – all of which are tweeted about and included in Tom’s blog.

7-29-10--Self-proclaimed anti-atrazine activist researcher damages his already shaky cred with e-mails
Tyrone Hayes is an icon, at least according to Hayes. He is a University of California at Berkeley researcher whose research to ban atrazine is certainly prolific. In addition to several amphibian studies that he says prove atrazine turns male frogs into not-so-male frogs, Hayes also hosts an anti-atrazine website and has a busy speaking schedule. But Hayes has spent a lot of time on something else—writing bizarre and harassing emails to those on the other side of the atrazine argument.

Employees of Syngenta and others, including EPA staffers, have been receiving strange e-mails from Hayes for several years. Syngenta is the primary manufacturer of atrazine. The company recently filed an ethics complaint with UC Berkeley about Hayes’ communications. Syngenta says that Hayes has sent their employees emails that are “aggressive, unprofessional and insulting, but also salacious and lewd.” The emails are taunting, harassing and sexually explicit in nature,” according to the complaint.

Hayes certainly has sent a lot of emails to Syngenta employees. The company posted a collection of Hayes e-mails, and it is 102 pages in length. In fact, in one e-mail, Hayes says he hopes his emails and poems will be published.

After a toxicology meeting in early 2008, Hayes sent a Syngenta employee a rambling six-page “manifesto”.  Hayes says he doesn’t care about professionalism, but says he sure puts on a good show. Here is an excerpt. A couple of notes: The ellipses in the text were placed by Hayes. IDGAF means, “I don’t’ give a f***.”

“IDGAF! Come on?????…do you think I care about propriety and professionalism? I do what I do, because it’s what I do…IDGAF!!! Look, my first SETAC, I rolled up 15 and 15!… autograph- signing, room-packing, rhyme-busting, *ss-whoopin… and toldem’ “please don’t ever invite me back” …I have used the “F-word” in my talks, have quoted DMX, Busta Rhymes, Tyra Banks, Marvin Gaye…I have jumped off stage, brandished emails…entitled my talks everything from “Opening up shop” (from DMX’s “Stop, drop, shuttem’ down, open up shop”) and “America’s Next Top Model” ….I pack the room, havem’ call out security, was the stimulus for the “Hayes clause” at registration, and have been invited back every year. That’s my house, Trick! Do I care what you, (deleted) and your *ss kissin’ H*’s think?
I’ve already been invited to the next one…guess people like being entertained.”

Alex Avery, center for Global Food Issues, posted a good column on this, which we have posted on our website, http://agsense.org or visit the CGFI website at http://www.cgfi.org

 If you want to read Syngenta’s complaint to Berkeley, follow this link:
http://www.atrazine.com/Amphibians/Univ_of_CA-7-19-10.pdf

If you want to read all of Dr. Hayes’s emails, go to http://www.atrazine.com/Amphibians/Combined_Large_pdf-r-opt.pdf

For full coverage of the atrazine issue, visit http://agsense.org

7-19-10--Kansas Corn Producer Terry Vinduska Taking the Helm of US Grains Council
Kansas has another national agriculture leader. Marion corn producer Terry Vinduska assumes the role of US Grains Council (USGC) chairman at the council’s 50th Annual Board of Delegates meeting July 18-21 in Boston. Vinduska represents central Kansas on the Kansas Corn Commission (KCC). KCC Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland explained the significance of Vinduska’s leadership role at the Grains Council.

“Terry has done a great job representing the Kansas Corn Commission as a board member and an officer of the US Grains Council,” Brzon said. “It is a real plus for Kansas to have Terry as Grains Council chairman. Over the years, the Kansas Corn Commission has worked closely with the US Grains Council to expand and solidify export markets for corn. Keeping those markets strong is important to our bottom line.”

Kansas Corn Commission Executive Director Jere White will also begin a leadership role at USGC. White will begin a term as a member of the US Grains Council Board of Directors.

The council is celebrating its 50th anniversary at its meeting this week, and Vinduska said members will celebrate half a century of accomplishments.

“That’s fifty years of working together to increase the price of U.S. corn, grain sorghum, barley, to provide feed and food for the world,” Vinduska said.

7-15-10--Kansas Corn Growers Present “Ear of Agriculture” To Congressman Moran
Grower leaders of the Kansas Corn Growers Association presented the first-ever Kansas Corn “Ear of Agriculture” award to Congressman Jerry Moran today. The group is in Washington, DC for the National Corn Growers Association Corn Congress. Corn Congress is the delegate session of NCGA where grower members determine the association’s policies.

According to KCGA President Bob Timmons of Fredonia, this is the first “Ear of Agriculture” award to be given. The award was created to recognize a leader who has worked to advance issues important to agriculture and corn growers in particular.

“Kansas is among the top ten corn producing states in the nation and its corn growers significantly contribute to the economic strength of our state,” Moran said. “During my time in Congress, I have worked hard to open new foreign markets and maintain domestic markets for Kansas corn farmers. I am honored to receive the first Ear of Agriculture award.”

Congressman Moran was chosen to receive the award by the Board of Directors of the Kansas Corn Growers Association.

“Congressman Moran has a long and consistent record of supporting agriculture. He is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. Most recently, he has taken a leadership role in two bills that are important to corn farmers: the Renewable Fuels Reinvestment Act and the Cuba trade bill,” Timmons said.

Several KCGA leaders were in Washington DC to participate in Corn Congress and to present the award. The group included Ken McCauley, White Cloud, KS; Brian Baalman, Menlo, KS; Charles Foltz, Garnett, KS; Mary McCauley, White Cloud, KS; Kansas Corn Executive Director Jere White, Communications Specialist DeEtta Bohling and intern Kiley Stinson.

In addition to participating in Corn Congress, the group also visited members of the Kansas congressional delegation. The Kansas Corn Growers Association represents its corn grower members in areas of legislation and regulation.

7-7-10--Loss of Atrazine Would Wipe Out 21,000 to 48,000 Jobs Dependant on Agriculture
University of Chicago economist says even more losses would come when sorghum, sugar cane and other crops are considered

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 7, 2010) – Banning the agricultural herbicide atrazine would cost between 21,000 and 48,000 jobs from corn production losses alone, according to University of Chicago economist Don L. Coursey, Ph.D.

Dr. Coursey announced his findings at a briefing sponsored by the Triazine Network today at the National Press Club in Washington.

Coursey estimates atrazine’s annual production value to corn alone to be between $2.3 billion and $5 billion. Atrazine’s additional value to sorghum, sugar cane and other uses increases these totals.

“The economic data on atrazine are very clear. As a first-order estimate, banning atrazine will erase between 21,000 and 48,000 jobs related to or dependant on corn production, with additional job losses coming from both sugar cane and sorghum production losses,” Coursey said. “The range is wide because we have never before banned a product on which so many depend and for which suitable replacements have a wide variety of prices and application regimes.”

“If all of that job loss were concentrated in the agricultural sector, its unemployment would grow by as much as 2.6 percent. Replacement costs for corn farmers could reach as high as $58 per acre,” Coursey said.

Atrazine has been a mainstay of corn, sorghum and sugar cane production for 50 years. The second most-used herbicide in the U.S., it controls a broad range of yield-robbing weeds, is safe for the crop and supports a variety of farming systems, including soil-saving conservation-till agriculture.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) re-registered atrazine in 2006 based on the evidence of nearly 6,000 studies and more than 80,000 public comments. It began an additional, unscheduled review of atrazine in late 2009.

“Atrazine is essential to U.S. agriculture. We appreciate Dr. Coursey’s findings and will distribute them to our members, the EPA and to our elected representatives. With unemployment still painfully high across the nation, we can’t afford to lose as many as 50,000 jobs and the corn yield that sustains them,” said Jere White, Triazine Network chairman and executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association.

EPA cited a media report and claims by a longtime anti-atrazine group when it announced the additional, unscheduled review. It was the first time in history EPA did not cite sound science to initiate a review process.

Coursey’s statement can be viewed at http://agsense.org/

6-30-10--Kansas Farmers Plant 7.1 Million Acres to Feedgrains
Kansas farmers planted 4.7 million acres of corn this spring, according to the June acreage report released by Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service (KASS).  Kansas ranks 6th in the nation in planted corn acres following Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and Indiana. The Kansas corn crop is up 15 percent from last year and is the largest acreage since 1936.

Grain sorghum acreage was estimated at 2.4 million acres. Kansas and Texas lead the nation in planted acres at 2.4 million each and the two states represent 80 percent of the nation’s 6 million planted sorghum acres.

The state’s corn crop is in very good shape, with 71 percent being ranked good to excellent in the June 28 crop progress report issued by KASS. Eleven percent of the crop is silked, ahead of last year’s crop, but behind the five year average of 14 percent. The Kansas sorghum crop is on pace with last year and is 88 percent emerged and is rated 74 good to excellent.

Kansas growers have good overall soil moisture. Statewide, subsoil moisture is 83 percent adequate. Southwest Kansas is the driest section of the state with subsoil moisture rated at 61 percent adequate, 23 percent short and 15 percent very short.

Both corn and sorghum are used as feedstock for livestock, ethanol, exports and other uses. Kansas farmers have planted 7.1 million acres of these feedgrains this year.

6-23-10--New Website Offers News and Information on Atrazine by the Farmers Who Have Safely Used it for Generations
Farmers launch www.AGSense.org to fight false claims and shoddy science against atrazine use

A group of farmers who raise corn, sorghum and other crops throughout the country have launched a new website, www.AGSense.org, to bring some common sense and straight talk to the debate about atrazine.

“Atrazine is important to keeping our food supply plentiful and affordable, and is highly effective with a remarkable track record of success—and safety—that stretches back for decades,” said Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association and chairman of the Triazine Network, the group of farmers behind the new Web site. Atrazine is a triazine herbicide.

“EPA conducted a special review of atrazine in 1994 and gave it full approval in 2006, so activists who are suddenly labeling it with false claims are irresponsible, at best, and misleading, at worst,” White said.

Farmers, ranchers and the people who consume their products can find information on AGSense.org about the various crops atrazine is used for, why exactly it is important for land conservation, its long history of scrutiny and approval by regulators all over the world, and highlights from the latest online content that tells the story of this critical tool – and the campaign against it – from across the Web.

“If AGSense.org helps just one person learn something about atrazine that he or she didn’t know before, if it helps bring just a little bit of common sense to this critical agricultural tool, it will have been worth creating,” said White. “We hope people find it useful as we fight to keep our access to atrazine alive.”

About the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association:
KCGA and KGSPA represent their grower members in regulatory and legislative issues. For more information on KCGA, visit http://www.ksgrains.com

4-28-10--Farmers Speak Out at the EPA: Atrazine is Safe, Effective, and Critical to Our Bottom Line
WASHINGTON (April 28, 2010) -- Farm groups traveled to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to voice support for atrazine before the third in a series of hearings being held by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to re-review the critically-effective herbicide.

Among those testifying were Jere White, Chairman of the Triazine Network and director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association; Laura Knoth, the executive director of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association; and Richard Fawcett, of Fawcett Consulting, who shared his expertise in weed science and critical yield gains atrazine provides farmers.

Noting that atrazine has been more extensively studied than any other crop protection product and has continually been awarded a clean bill of health, Jere White commented that growers often ask him, “When is enough enough?”

It was only in 2006, after all, after an extensive 12-year review, that EPA concluded that the triazine herbicides, including atrazine, pose “no harm” to the general population, including women and infants. It wasn’t until “the New York Times and Huffington Post supplied their version of ‘peer review’ of an NRDC report to certain political appointees at EPA,” said White, that EPA hastily convened this un-necessary re-review.

White questioned whether this extraordinary break with standard EPA procedures violates FIFRA standards, and highlighted the enormous burden of material the independent scientists have been asked to digest in a relatively short period of time due to the compressed schedule. As White noted, “…though the average number of studies submitted for SAP review per session number around 15, EPA has generously provided you with 123.”

Given that scientific bodies around the world have determined that atrazine is safe to use, and extensive monitoring shows that levels in raw and finished water are steadily declining, White questioned the need for this EPA’s “politically driven second guessing.” He ended by expressing the hope that the high standards of scientific objectivity that enabled the EPA to register atrazine as safe in the past would continue to prevail at the agency.

Laura Knoth outlined the profoundly beneficial effects of atrazine to the environment, especially as a result of no-till and low-till agriculture. By 2008, Knoth noted, “atrazine was applied to 60 percent of conservation tillage and no-till corn acres.” Without such effective weed control, the result would be a massive increase in erosion, “estimated to be more than 300 billion pounds annually.” Sediment has been identified by both the USDA and by individual states as the leading source of water pollution in our nation today.
Atrazine-enabled no-till agriculture also reduces the use (and expense) of fossil fuels to power tractors for field cultivation and keeps crucial nutrients in the soil.

On top of the extraordinary environmental benefits, Richard Fawcett emphasized the critical importance of atrazine to farmers’ bottom line. Analysis of data from two different decades starting in the 80s and in the 90s, showed a very similar – and impressive – boost in yields in both eras. Average yield gains with atrazine from 1986 to 2005 in university field trials were 5.7 bushels per acre compared to alternative herbicides.

EPA itself has estimated that farming without atrazine would cost corn growers $28 an acre in reduced yields and higher costs for less effective substitutes.

The voice of the farm community was clear: atrazine is safe, it’s effective, it’s essential to the environment, and it’s critical to our bottom line. Sound science, sound economics, and sound environmental stewardship would all tell the EPA one thing – leave atrazine alone, so American farmers can get on with the business of feeding the world.

Atrazine Brings Environmental Benefits to Kansas Corn Farms
Many farmers spent Earth Day in the fields planting corn. Kansas Corn Commissioner Ken McCauley, White Cloud, said his family has made good progress planting corn this spring. McCauley uses no-till farming methods on his family farm. Atrazine makes those environmentally friendly methods possible.

“Without atrazine, our ability to use no-till methods would be severely hampered,” McCauley said. “Atrazine has played a big role in our success with no-till farming because it works so well in with other crop protection tools.”

McCauley explained that small amounts of atrazine help to make his crop protection tools more effective, and that allows him to apply less herbicides overall. He said atrazine is also important because it has a different “mode of action” that helps keeps weeds from becoming resistant to herbicides. Without effective weed control, no-till farmers would have to resort to cultivation and other tillage practices.

According to the Conservation Tillage Information Center, atrazine was applied to more than 60 percent of conservation tillage and no-till corn acres in 2008. No-till farming practices reduce soil erosion by up to 90 percent.

Atrazine-enabled no-till agriculture provides major environmental benefits:

· Preventing soil erosion: No-till agriculture dramatically lessens the loss of soil and its nutrients, and prevents the kind of soil run-off that clogs streams and waterways.

· Preventing erosion protects aquatic ecosystems and preserves water quality.

· No-till agriculture reduces soil erosion by as much as 90 percent when compared to intensive tillage .

· United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ranks sediment runoff as the number one pollutant in our nation’s waterways.

· Conserving water: Because crop residue from previous harvests (stalks, husks, etc.) is left on the ground, and the soil is not plowed up, evaporation is limited and more water stays in the soil.

· Cutting fuel costs to famers: Less plowing means lower production costs and reduced emissions because of fewer equipment trips across the field.

· Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: the constant plowing up of agricultural land required by old-style agriculture to control weeds results in the massive release of CO2 into the atmosphere from decomposing organic matter in the soil. No-till keeps that CO2 trapped in the ground. Switching to no-till promotes the storage of about 600 pounds of carbon in an acre of soil each year, according to research done at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

· Because of its vital role in weed control and popularity in more than 60 countries around the world, atrazine has been carefully studied for years. World-renowned institutions including the World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all have studied atrazine and found no health concerns when used as directed.

The Kansas Corn Growers Association represents growers in regulatory and legislative issues. For more information on KCGA, visit www.ksgrains.com.

Kansas Corn and Sorghum Partake in Earth Day Festivities
In celebration of Earth Day, over 2,000 students from across the state will receive educational materials from the Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA).

Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is an excellent time to salute farmers. “Corn and sorghum growers are full-time environmentalists. They celebrate Earth Day everyday because they are dependent on water and soil, which is vital to their livelihood,” said KCGA and KGSPA’s communication specialist, DeEtta Bohling.

KCGA and KGSPA corresponded with several organizations across Kansas, requesting presentations and materials for area Earth Day celebrations for school-aged children.

Presentations by KCGA and KGSPA will take place in conjunction with Neosho County Farm Bureau on April 22 and with Riley County Farm Bureau on April 28.

“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to stress the importance of agriculture and Earth Day to America’s future with the cooperation and support of schools, parents, Ag in the Classroom, and the farm bureaus,” said Bohling.

The KCGA and KGSPA are happy to provide materials for educational purposes. Teacher’s materials and additional information on Kansas corn and sorghum can be found at www.ksgrains.com.

4-9-10--Kansas Corn Farmers Remember Dust Bowl Lessons As State Commemorates Black Sunday
The Kansas Senate recently passed a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of Black Sunday, the date of the historic dust-bowl era dust storm. Kansas corn producers remember the lessons learned in the 1930s and improved conservation and farming practices ward off the chance of another Black Sunday. Kansas Corn Growers Association Communications Director Sue Schulte said many Kansans have heard Dust Bowl stories.

“Growing up in southwest Kansas, I remember hearing many Dust Bowl stories. My best friend’s mother told us the story of her birthday party in the back yard. Her birthday cake with pretty white frosting was on a table. When the dust storm blew up, they ran into the house without the cake. When the storm subsided, she retrieved her cake from the back yard, black with dust.”

While dust storms are still an occasional occurrence in Kansas, soil conservation measures and improved cropping and farming practices ensure that Kansas won’t return to the Dust Bowl days.

“Like the Dust Bowl stories that are passed down through generations of Kansas families, Kansas farmers also remember the lessons learned in the 1930s,” Schulte said.

Kansas crop production was much different in 1935. In 1935, Kansas farmers planted 22.8 million acres to corn, wheat, sorghum and soybeans. Yields for all four crops were below 10 bushels per acre. Total crop production for those four crops was 91.4 million bushels. In 2009, Kansas farmers planted 19.8 million acres of corn, wheat, sorghum and soybeans, and harvested 1.35 billion bushels.

“It isn’t fair to compare the growing seasons of 1935 and 2009, but it interesting to see the contrasts,” Schulte said. “With the Dust Bowl and drought, Kansas growers certainly had a difficult year in 1935. While the drought and dust storms decimated crops in 1935, the dramatic increase in crop production today has much to with improved seeds, technology and farming practices.”

The Kansas Senate resolution was introduced by Senator David Haley of Kansas City, whose father, a college-level agriculture teacher, in his classes referred to the Kansas Dust Bowl as an example of survival and perseverance.

The resolution states: “…we remember April 14, 1935, known as “Black Sunday”, and commemorate the 75th anniversary of this tragic event, which had a significant impact on the State of Kansas and forever changed the way farmers work the land; and that we salute the intestinal fortitude of those Kansas farmers and families who withstood this unprecedented devastating force of nature, vividly described as being near plague proportion, and vow not now nor ever to allow the people of Kansas to be compelled to forget our fellow Kansans’ sacrifices.”
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3-31-10--Kansas Corn Up, Sorghum Steady in Planting Report
Kansas growers intend to plant a combined 7.4 million acres of corn and sorghum this year, according to this week's USDA Prospective Plantings report. The report showed an increase in corn and soybean acres, no change in sorghum acres and a decrease in wheat acres in Kansas for 2010.

Kansas corn growers intend to plant 4.70 million acres this year, up 15 percent from 2009. If this projection is correct, 2010 will be the largest area planted to corn in Kansas since 1936. Kansas corn yields in the 1930s were less than 20 bushels per acre. Kansas joins Illinois, Missouri and Ohio in expected acreage increases of 300,000 or more.

Corn acres across the U.S. are expected to reach 88.8 million acres in 2010, up 3 percent from last year. The largest decreases are expected in Iowa, down 200,000 acres, and Texas, down 150,000 acres.

Kansas sorghum acres intend on hitting 2.70 million acres, which is the same as in 2009. Sorghum area to be planted is estimated at 6.36 million acres, down 4 percent from last year. The largest decline is expected in Texas, where growers plan to plant 300,000 fewer acres than last year.

“This projection tells us that there continues to be a high demand for feedgrains and that our growers are committed to meeting the needs of the livestock and ethanol industries. Thanks to improved crop genetics and better farming practices, Kansas growers are looking forward to continuing a trend of higher yields; producing more with less,” says Jere White, executive director for the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Sorghum Producers Association.

Soybean planted acreage is expected to reach 4.10 million acres, up 11 percent from 2010. If this projection is correct, this will be the largest soybean acreage in Kansas history. Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota are all projected to have acreage increases of 100,000 or more.

Wheat is expected to be down 8 percent from 2009, when acres totaled 8.6 million. The U.S. 2010 winter wheat planted area is estimated at 37.7 million acres, down 13 percent from 2009 but up 2 percent from the Winter Wheat Seedings report. This is the lowest United States total since 1970. Of the 2010 total acreage, about 28.3 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 6.0 million acres are Soft Red Winter and 3.4 million acres are White Winter.

Overall, Kansas growers expect to plant 20.1 million acres to the four major crops—corn, sorghum, wheat, and soybeans.

The acreage estimates in the “Prospective Plantings” report are based primarily on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March. The March Agricultural Survey is a probability survey that includes a sample of approximately 86,000 farm operators selected from a list of producers that ensures all operations in the United States have a chance to be selected. Sampling errors for major crops are generally between 1.0 and 3.0 percent. To see the full “Prospective Plantings” report visit http://www.nass.usda.gov.

3-23-10--Kansas Corn Grower Featured in Book, “Power Trip”
Ken McCauley, Kansas Corn Commissioner and former president of the National Corn Growers Association, is featured in the book “Power Trip”. Author of the book, Amanda Little, visited McCauley’s farm in White Cloud, Kan., and in the late 2009, “Power Trip” hit the book shelves.

McCauley says that Little originally came to his farm to write a technology and fertilizer article for “Wired” magazine. Amanda Little spent a great amount of time on McCauley’s farm. Though an article didn’t appear in “Wired” magazine, McCauley said, “all of a sudden it was a book.”

In “Power Trip”, Little embarks on a journey to understand America’s energy crisis by visiting an offshore oil rig, the Pentagon’s fuel-logistics division, the Talladega Superspeedway, New York City’s electrical grid, laboratories focusing on the future of clean-energy, and, the cornfields of Kansas.

McCauley said he was impressed with the research that Little did on the oil industry and how it has affected our country. “It is a good read and has some very good historical information about the oil industry, politics and agriculture, not to mention a good slice of the McCauley family’s history.”

3-18-10--Kansas Corn Joins Efforts To “Thank a Farmer” at March 18 Ag Day
“If you eat today, thank a farmer.” That’s the message Kansas commodity groups, along with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce will share on Kansas Ag Day on March 18. The Kansas Corn Commission (KCC) and Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) united with agriculture organizations in celebrating Kansas Agriculture Day on Thursday. Ag Day highlights a week long celebration of agriculture in Kansas and across the country. Ag Day activities will be held in Topeka on Thursday. In addition, the group worked with John Deere dealers to place tractors in the communities of Wichita, Overland Park and Tribune to raise awareness of agriculture.

“Kansas Agriculture Week and Ag Day are great opportunities to connect with our leaders and our communities,” according to KCC Chairman Mike Brzon, Courtland. “It is important to get the word about agriculture and how farmers care for their land and animals as a part of their livelihood. We should thank all farmers and ranchers for putting food on our tables.”

Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson signed a proclamation declaring the week of March 14 Kansas Agriculture Week and March 18 Kansas Agriculture Day. The proclamation noted Kansas’ leading roles in grain and beef production, as well as its second place ranking in cropland. Also noted was the $13.9 billion market value of all agricultural products sold in 2008, which placed Kansas seventh in the nation. The same year, the state ranked sixth in farm product exports, valued at $5.9 billion.

“Agriculture has always been the backdrop to life in Kansas. It’s a tradition that predates our statehood, and it continues to contribute to our economic well-being,” said Parkinson. “Kansas farmers and ranchers help fill our food, fiber and fuel needs. During Agriculture Week, especially, we need to remember to thank them for the work they do,” Parkinson said. .

On Ag Day, the Kansas agriculture community will host a luncheon for legislators. Participants will receive a packet of information on Kansas agriculture. In addition, the commodity groups will have displays at the event and be available to answer questions about agriculture.

“We are fortunate that our state’s leaders understand the value of agriculture--that’s not the case in every state,” according to KCGA President Bob Timmons of Fredonia. “That’s why it is critically important that we continue to supply our leaders with information about what we do on our farms and agriculture’s importance to ours state’s economy.”

The “thank a farmer” message also will be taken to the streets during Kansas Ag Day. John Deere dealers will have combines on display on Kansas Agriculture Day, March 18, at three locations across Kansas:
• Hen House Market, 135th and Metcalf, Overland Park
• Century II, Wichita
• Main Street, Tribune

Each of the combines will sport a banner with the message, “If you EAT today, THANK a FARMER.”


“Agriculture is our bedrock. The economy may wax and wane, but demand for food never ends,” said Josh Svaty, secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture. “During these challenging economic times, it’s good to know that one in five Kansans has a job that is tied in some way to agriculture and food production.”

For more information on Kansas corn, visit www.ksgrains.com
 

3-17-10--Kansas Corn Commission, USMEF Ink Agreement with Hilton Restaurants for Classic U.S. Beef Burger in Europe

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Representatives of the Kansas Corn Commission, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and Amsterdam-based importer Nice to Meat finalized an agreement Tuesday with Hilton Hotels for the launching of a premium U.S. beef burger. The U.S. burger will be featured at more than 120 Hilton Hotel restaurants across Europe, thanks in part to promotional support from Kansas corn producers.

3-15-2010--Kansas Grower Sees Grain Export Opportunities, Obstacles on USGC Mission

Kansas Corn Commissioner Terry Vinduska recently learned first-hand about opportunities and obstacles to building grain export markets to Colombia, Panama and the Dominica Republic. Vinduska, a Marion, Kan. farmer who is Vice Chairman of the US Grains Council (USGC), returned this week from traveling to the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Panama as a part of the USGC Board and Officers mission.

“The purpose of visiting the Dominican Republic and Colombia was to show market presence and that we are a reliable supplier, along with increasing market share,” Vinduska said

In Colombia, the Grains Council had the opportunity to meet with the U.S. Ambassador for Colombia. Vinduska said the U.S. is missing out on significant exports to Colombia and other Central American countries because of the lack of a trade agreement.

“The Ambassador briefed us on U.S./Colombian trade. There is a great deal of potential here, but the U.S. hasn’t signed the trade agreement,” said Vinduska.

“We must do all we can in order to get that passed. We lose 500 million dollars a year with Colombia because we have no trade agreement. That’s huge. Colombia wants to trade with us because we can provide grain cheaper than our competitors because we are closer.”

The U.S. Grains Council visited a variety of places in the Dominican Republic including Port Rio Haina Feed Plant, the largest poultry producer in the country. They recently built a new feed mill in order to double production and began using DDGS six months ago. The group also toured CND Brewery. This family owned brewery is the largest in the Dominican Republic and uses 100% U.S. barley and corn grits.

The Council’s time in Panama was directed towards Canal Authority. They discussed projections for the future and plans for the new canal with Mr. Alberto Aleman Zubieta, Panama Canal Authority general administrator.

The U.S. Grains Council Latin America and Caribbean Regional office had an official opening of the Council’s newest international office in Panama City.

“The failure of the United States to ratify pending free trade agreements in the area has caused a significant loss in grain business and trade. It also has had a consequential effect on the economic development of our friends and allies in the Latin American region,” said chairman, Rick Fruth. “By establishing an office in Latin America and the Caribbean region, the Council is strategically positioning itself to defend U.S. markets while simultaneously enhancing the quality of life of our trading partners.”

Kurt Shultz is the director of the Panama City office. Shultz has worked for the Council since 1999 and previously served for seven years as USGC regional director for the Mediterranean and Africa before transitioning to his current post. In its first year of operation, the Latin America and Caribbean Region office will focus on the needs of each country, in order to extract greater value for U.S. producers.

“The United States has a significant tariff disadvantage in these countries. It is a top priority of the Council to level the playing field of the market in order to obtain greater U.S. market access,” said Shultz.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board that determines how the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff is invested in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com

3-11-10--Kansas Corn Growers Attend 2010 Commodity Classic
Ethanol blends, export markets, climate change legislation, image and advocacy were among the many topics discussed amongst corn growers attending the 2010 Commodity Classic.

Kansas Corn Growers Association members and staff joined over 4,000 of the country’s top corn, soybean, wheat, and sorghum producers and representatives from leading agribusinesses at the Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

Various speakers were invited to engage the growers at the Commodity Classic General Session, including Agricultural Economist, Jay Lehr and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to growers on his respect and appreciation for farmers and his desire to revitalize rural America.

“I believe rural America is the heart and the soul and the guts of America. And, I believe that we have to start paying real attention to our farm families and to those who live in rural America if we want to preserve that value system,” he said.

Vilsack also addressed biotechnology and went on to explain that “We need to focus on the need for expansion and a better understanding of biotechnology, and a greater acceptance of biotechnology. The reality in the world today is that the population of the world continues to grow, and the amount of land available to produce farm products to raise food and fiber and fuel continues to shrink as communities expand and develop around the world. We have got to use science in a significant and important way to increase productivity. Biotechnology has that opportunity.”

Lehr passionately urged Commodity Classic General Session attendees to become strong advocates for agriculture in the face of ongoing attacks from groups such as the Humane Society of the United States, the Environmental Defense Fund and many others.

Lehr urged growers to take proactive steps such as hosting an open house on their farms during the summer, utilizing social media such as Facebook and Twitter and responding directly to inaccurate media reports through phone calls or letters.

National Corn Growers Association President, Darrin Ihnen, of Hurley, S.D., spoke on the utilization of higher ethanol blends and ensuring climate change legislation does not place U.S. agriculture at a disadvantage.

In addition, corn grower delegates from Kansas and other corn-growing states participated in two sessions of Corn Congress, the delegate session that determines the policy that guides the National Corn Growers Association.

KCGA participants included Charles Foltz of Garnett, Ken McCauley of White Cloud, Roger Pine of Lawrence, Pat Ross of Lawrence, John Tibbits of Minneapolis, Bob Timmons of Fredonia, and Terry Vinduska of Marion.

The 2010 Commodity Classic provided a valuable 4-day forum for growers to promote agriculture by bringing both producers and media together. Throughout the event, Kansas growers played a key role in discussing efforts to promote positive images of the corn industry while advocating for public policy that provides and maintains opportunities for growers.

2-15-10--Kansas Corn and Sorghum Join in Social Networking

By DeEtta Bohling, KCGA/KGSPA Communications Specialist
Agriculture has found a place within social media. The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) join thousands of people discussing agriculture each day.

2009 was a year of change and growth for social media sites. According to Computerworld Magazine, Facebook has more visitors than any other social networking site. Facebook finished 2009 with 112 million visitors and Twitter finished the year with 20 million visitors, up from just 2 million in 2008.

“When we are posting on social media sites, we don’t just talk about grains. We also work to support our customers, like livestock and biofuels, as well as products our farmers rely upon, like the herbicide atrazine. Agriculture is often under attack on social media sites and it’s up to us to share accurate information,” according to Sue Schulte, director of communications for KCGA and KGSPA.

Ag media, associations, farm organizations, agri-businesses, farmers, and consumers are discussing and learning from each other. Tom Tibbits, a farmer from Minneapolis, Kansas, shares his knowledge and experiences through Facebook, Twitter, and his blog.

“Social media is a tool to connect with both farmers and non farmers. We can have conversations our farms and farming practices and reassure people that we are good stewards of the land and natural resources while providing safe food,” says Tibbits.

Tibbits tells farmers to “Talk about your farm. Let your defenses down when asked a hot button topic such as antibiotic use in livestock or biotech crops. People want to learn more about them.” Tibbits’ blog can be found at http://farmertimes.blogspot.com/

“Social media sites are an innovative way to communicate with the world. If farmers don’t tell their story now, activist groups will. People now turn to social media to gain information and form opinions. As farmers, I encourage you to take a little time to create an online presence. This is a business decision—a decision to help protect your livelihood,” says DeEtta Bohling, KCGA and KGSPA communications specialist.

Visit www.ksgrains.com for more information on how the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers use social media.

2-5-10--Kansas Corn Growers Association Appoints New Leadership
Feb. 5, 2010--The Kansas Corn Growers Association board elected Bob Timmons of Fredonia, KS as the KCGA president at a meeting following the association’s annual meeting on Feb 2. Timmons replaces Brian Baalman, Menlo, who had served as the KCGA president for the past six years.

“We have been fortunate to have Brian as our leader for so many years,” Timmons said. “I know he will continue to provide strong leadership as a board member for KCGA.”

Bill Pauly of Denton was elected vice president; Harvey Heier, Grainfield, was elected secretary and Charles Foltz of Garnett, was re-elected as treasurer.

At the annual meeting, KCGA members heard an issues update, and reviewed and amended the association’s resolutions. The KCGA resolutions guide the association policy throughout the year. Member also elected board members for the southwest, south central and southeast districts. Steve Rome, Hugoton; Kent Moore, Iuka, and Bob Timmons, Fredonia were reelected to the KCGA board.

1-21-10--AGRICULTURE GROUPS DEFEND ATRAZINE AGAINST AGENDA-DRIVEN ATTACKS
53 groups representing tens of thousands of farmers in nearly every state and commodity call for decisions based on science, not politics

Washington, D.C. – A broad coalition of agriculture groups have written to Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in defense of the herbicide atrazine, which has become the target of a coordinated attack by environmental groups seeking to eliminate its use. See copy of the letter to the EPA here: http://www.ksgrains.com/corn/Lisa%20Jackson%20Agriculture%20Letter%201-15-2010.pdf). Atrazine, a critical tool in growing crops as diverse as corn, sorghum, sugar cane, and citrus, has been used safely in over 60 countries for 50 years.

The EPA will begin a re-re-evaluation of atrazine as part of a series of Scientific Advisory Panels, which will begin on February 2nd. Recent media events by agenda-driven organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, Land Stewardship Project and Pesticide Action Network North America suggest a coordinated campaign to call atrazine’s safety into question and politicize what should be a scientific process. In fact, in an unprecedented move, the EPA itself identified NRDC material as part of its justification to launch the new review.

“We want to set the record straight on the agriculture community’s broad support of this very effective herbicide that has been used by farmers for more than 50 years,” said Jere White, executive director of the Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers associations. “Atrazine is used on more than one-half of all U.S. corn and two-thirds of sorghum. It is one of the primary elements that make American agriculture so phenomenally productive. Every EPA Administration since the EPA was founded – Republican and Democrat – has endorsed atrazine’s safety and that is why we join together to pledge our support and confidence in this product.”

“Atrazine is the foundation for weed control programs in Florida sugarcane and has withstood thorough scientific testing in the U.S. and around the world,” said James M. Shine, Jr., Agriculture Division Vice President for Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. “Extensive research conducted by scientists inside and outside the government have weighed all the data and concluded that it is safe for the environment, human health, and crop protection. Our communities should feel confident that rigorous science has determined its safety.” It is estimated that atrazine is used in 90 percent of U.S. sugar cane production.

"The use of atrazine and the triazine family herbicides in citrus production have dramatically reduced the need for cultivation and water applications, provided protection against freeze damage, and created a better quality product," said Joel Nelsen, President of California Citrus Mutual.  "Their loss would have a devastating impact on our growers."

The coalition of agriculture groups will be actively involved in the EPA re-evaluation of atrazine and will insist that transparent, peer-reviewed science utilizing accepted practices govern regulatory decision-making.

For more information on this coalition or on atrazine, please contact Sue Schulte at sschulte@ksgrains.com or 785-448-6922.

 

Kansas Commodity Classic is Wednesday, Feb.3
at the Topeka Ramada Inn
Find out what is brewing at the state capitol, how national policies like climate change legislation will affect your farm, and gain a better understanding of the roles of state agencies in agriculture at the Kansas Commodity Classic in Topeka on Wednesday, February 3 at the Topeka Ramada Inn. This annual convention will bring together Kansas grain sorghum, corn and wheat growers for a high powered general session and luncheon. It starts at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at the Topeka Ramada Inn, 420 SE 6th Avenue, Topeka. The program and lunch are free to growers.

“If you plan on growing grains in the next ten years, then you need to sit down with us and listen to Bill Hudson of ProExporter Network,”
according to KCGA Executive Director Jere White. “Bill is one of the best in explaining how public policy and other factors have shaped our markets. More importantly, he will explain how public policy in areas like ethanol and climate change will shape future markets for our grains.”

Kansas Senate President Steve Morris of Hugoton will open the event with welcoming comments at 9:30 a.m. Bill Hudson, founder of ProExporter Network will be the keynote speaker focusing on national policy issues, especially ethanol and climate issues that will affect agricultural markets. A state agency panel will feature Constantine Cotsoradis of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Greg Foley of the State Conservation Commission and Earl Lewis of the Kansas Water Office.

“It is important to understand the roles of these state agencies and how the agencies interact with growers,” White said.

Acting Secretary of Agriculture Josh Svaty will speak at the Commodity Classic Luncheon.

“Secretary Svaty is a fifth generation farmer in Ellsworth County and is a very strong advocate for Kansas Agriculture,” White said. The lunch will wrap up the day’s events. In the afternoon, growers are encouraged to visit their state legislators.

Over 50 Ag Groups Call on EPA to Continue to Use Science, Not Politics in Atrazine Review
Jan. 15, 2010--Agricultural groups from Kansas and across the nation signed onto a letter to EPA clarifying growers’ support for atrazine. The letter was sent to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson today. Earlier this month, environmental activist groups submitted a letter to EPA saying growers oppose the use of atrazine.

“It is truly disheartening when political agendas attempt to overturn scientific process,” the letter states. “Such is the case in the January 5th letter submitted to the EPA by a handful of special interest groups misrepresenting themselves as the voice of the agriculture community in an attempt to negate the overwhelming support and confidence in the herbicide atrazine and to gain media attention for themselves.”

Jere White, executive director of the Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers associations said farmers have been involved in EPA’s reviews of atrazine since the mid-1990s. The groups that signed the letter in support of atrazine represent a very large number of farmers and agricultural producers.

“Over 50 national, state, and local grower and agricultural groups signed on to this letter which reaffirms their support of the use of atrazine. These groups represent hundreds of thousands of farmers from Hawaii to Pennsylvania,” White said. “Many of these grower groups have been involved in the EPA’s repeated studies and reviews of atrazine for more than 15 years. I don’t think the environmental activist groups understand that there are trade-offs. For example, removing atrazine would actually hinder many of our row crop farmers’ efforts to use conservation no-till and reduced-till practices. Without atrazine, many would have to return to tilling their land, increasing the risk of erosion and runoff.”

The groups signing the letter asked EPA to understand that the majority of farmers support the use of atrazine and asked EPA to use science, not politics, to arrive at a decision on the safety of atrazine.

The letter states: “Our growers have actively participated in the process and supported the safety and scientific approval of atrazine by the EPA over the last fifteen years and three White House Administrations. Mainstream agriculture has participated in every Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) concerning atrazine since the beginning of the Special Review in 1994. As stated clearly to the November 3, 2009 SAP, we strongly believe the scientific weight of evidence, based on EPA's own analysis for decades, shows atrazine to be both safe and effective and that it is the best kind of tool that farmers can have.

We are troubled by the activist forces that seem to be guiding the very intensive and urgent re-evaluation (actually a re-re-evaluation) of atrazine despite its recently completed re-registration, which provided for its continued safe use.

. . . The benefits of atrazine use to agriculture are well documented and part of existing EPA record. Recent efforts to downplay these benefits in the media are simply the wishes of activists who suggest they have better insight on producing abundant food, fuel and fiber from their comfortable desk than the farmer who has been doing it all his life. It should be noted that our farmers consider themselves the ultimate conservationists, for without the careful cultivation of their land...their own livelihoods are at risk.”


Read the Ag Groups' Letter to EPA Here

1-13-10--Corn Farmers Coalition Message Being Heard

Efforts by the Kansas Corn Growers Association and other corn grower groups to educate Washington policy-makers on farmer’s advances and innovation received special recognition from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) at the Region II Best of NAMA awards program.

NAMA recognized Kansas Corn Growers Association, a partner in the Corn Farmers Coalition, with a first place for excellence in the Public Affairs/ Issues Management Program category. KCGA also received a first place in the best Radio Series category for educational radio messages played in a dozen states including Kansas.

“Americans are the most productive corn farmers in the world, growing five times more than we did in the 1930s on 20 percent less land. Thanks to amazing innovations, the corn we can grow on each acre will double again in only 25 years. Decision leaders and consumers need to be aware of these advances as we make critical decisions touching on our nation’s largest industry,” said KCGA President, Brian Baalman.

CFC, an alliance of corn farmers from 10 states and the National Corn Growers Association, formed in 2008 to educate policy-makers in Washington about how tech-savvy, innovative farmers are growing more corn every year - for food, animal feed, ethanol and exports - while using fewer resources and protecting the environment.

"The Kansas Corn Growers Association works hard to tell our story and strengthen the bond between farmers and our customers so it is a real honor for us, CFC and the NCGA to be recognized by the largest professional association for professionals in the agri-marketing business,” said Sue Schulte, Communications Director of the KCGA .

1-12-10--Kansas Shatters Record with 2009 Harvest
The January Ag Statistics crop production report was released on Jan. 12 and pegged Kansas Corn production at 598 million bushels, smashing the record of 507 million bushels set in 2007. Yield was 155 bushels per acre, a record for Kansas, beating the previous record of 152 bu/acre set in 1996. US Corn was a record breaking 13.2 billion bushels, up 2 percent from the November 1 forecast, and 1 percent above the previous record of 13.0 billion bushels set in 2007. U.S. grain yield is also estimated at a record level for 2009, at 165.2 bushels per acre. This is up 2.3 bushels from the November forecast and 4.9 bushels above the previous record of 160.3 bushels per acre set in 2004.
 

12-22-10--Kansas Corn Growers Produce Outstanding Yields
National Corn Growers Yield Contest Results
Kansas growers may have not received national honors in the 2009 National Corn Yield Contest, but they have much to be proud of. In the contest, sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association, Kansas produced record yields compared to past years. Kansas beat the yield of 296, set in 2008, with a whopping 315 bushels per acre.

The combined average yield of the Kansas winners was 271 bushels per acre compared to 261 bushels in 2008. The highest irrigated yield from Kansas belonged to Merl Rexford of Meade, who had a yield of 315.4 bushels per acre in the irrigated division. The highest non-irrigated yield was from Hugh C. Kinsey of Troy who had a yield of 282.2 bushels per acre in the non-irrigated division.

The national and state contest winners will be honored at the 2010 Commodity Classic to be held in Anaheim, California, March 4-6. The Kansas winners of the National Corn Yield Contest are listed below.

Non-Irrigated
1. Hugh C. Kinsey of Troy planted Pioneer 33D49 for 282.2 bushels per acre
2. Corey Franken of Troy planted Pioneer 33D49 for 278.0 bushels per acre
3. Dean Sudbeck of Seneca planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for 257.9 bushels per acre

No Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated
1. Jeff Koelzer of Onaga planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for 279.7 bushels per acre
2. Justin Urban of Clay Center planted Pioneer 33D49 for 278.1 bushels per acre
* Hugh C. Kinsey of Troy planted Pioneer 33D49 for 276.2 bushels per acre (awarded in the Non-Irrigated category)
3. Joe Elias of Atchison planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for 266.9 bushels per acre

No Till/Strip Till Irrigated
1. Brett Oelke of Hoxie planted Pioneer 35K03 for 288.7 bushels per acre
2. Danny Koehn of Montezuma planted Pioneer 33P84 for 288.3 bushels per acre
3. Todd M. Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B34 for 285.7 bushels per acre

Ridge Till Non-Irrigated
1. Jimmy R. Elder of Linwood planted Pioneer 33K44 for 206.6 bushels per acre
2. LeRoy R. Elder of Linwood planted Pioneer 33D49 for 200.3 bushels per acre

Ridge Till Irrigated
1. Faye Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B34 for 287.8 bushels per acre
2. Ron Jacobson of Concordia planted Pioneer 32B34 for 276.9 bushels per acre
3. Roger Johnson of Hoxie planted Pioneer 33D47 for 268.9 bushels per acre

Irrigated
1. Merl Rexford of Meade planted Pioneer 33D47 for 315.4 bushels per acre
2. Damion Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B34 for 279.1 bushels per acre
3. DML Farms LLC in Belle Plaine planted DEKALB DKC64-79 for 267.1 bushels per acre.
 

12-8-09--Kansas Corn Commissioner Participates in Corn Mission to Morocco, Egypt and Jordan
GARNETT, Kansas (December 7, 2009)- Kansas Corn Commissioner, Bob Timmons, of Fredonia, KS is one of six corn growers traveling Morocco, Egypt and Jordan for the U.S. Grains Council 2009 Corn Mission. The group has already toured a cattle feedlot, poultry operation and shipping port, and has also met with government and agricultural representatives.

The U.S. Grains Council Corn Mission allows for growers and grain buyers to have face-to-face open discussions about U.S. corn.

When Timmons was asked about the expectations he had for the corn mission, he responded by saying, “I am pretty excited about this mission. We support the Grains Council through the Kansas Corn Commission and it is interesting to see how the Council is building markets for our corn.”

The group is now in Egypt, where the US Grains Council has been active in promoting the use of corn and the ethanol coproduct distillers grains not only in beef, but also the growing water buffalo industry. The Council has worked closely with Egyptian water buffalo producers for several years to help develop this rapidly growing industry and encouraging the use of U.S. corn as well as distillers grains (DDGS), a coproduct of ethanol production.

Chuck Zimmerman of ZimmComm New Media is also on the trade mission and was impressed with a visit to the water buffalo feedlot and dairy operated by Dr. Saad Alhayani, chairman of the Egyptian Buffalo Producers Association.

“He’s raising thousands of buffalo and feeding them corn and DDGS as well as other ingredients,” Zimmerman said. “We saw lots of bags of DDGS at his feedlot. That looked very positive for American corn growers!”

The group visited with government officials, poultry farms and port facilities in Morocco. When leaving Morocco, Joe Zenz, a Wisconsin corn grower said he sees great potential in the Morocco market, but he thinks producers still have a lot to learn about production and the USGC is playing a key role in providing educational resources.

Zimmerman is blogging about the U.S. Grains Council 2009 Corn Mission. You can read more about this corn mission at www.thegrainboard.com and the ZimmComm blog at www.agwired.com.

12-1-09--Kansas Growers Must Wait for EPA’s Science-Based Decision on Ethanol Waiver
The Environmental Protection Agency announced today a delay in its decision on the ethanol industry’s request for higher ethanol blends. A December 1 deadline had been set for EPA to announce its decision on the use of fuel blends up to 15 percent ethanol. The agency said it needed more time to complete scientific evaluation of the request and said a decision should be made by next spring.

In its response to the waiver request, EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy wrote that EPA recognizes higher ethanol blends are necessary to meet renewable fuel requirements and noted that EPA is beginning work to develop labeling for higher blends. She indicated that the ongoing studies have been positive.

“Although all of the studies have not been completed, our engineering assessment to date indicates that the robust fuel, engine and emissions control systems on newer vehicles (likely 2001 and newer model years) will likely be able to accommodate higher ethanol blends, such as E15,” McCarthy said.

Kansas Corn Growers Executive Director Jere White said the association supports EPA’s efforts to make a decision based on sound science. “When the ethanol industry asked EPA for the waiver, we said we had faith in EPA’s ability to conduct a science-based review of higher ethanol blends,” White said. “Today, the agency was honest in saying it needed more time to complete its research. The best outcome would be an interim decision to allow higher blends of ethanol that can be used in all vehicles, including those manufactured before 2001.”

The arbitrary 10 percent blend wall is a barrier not only to the growth of the grain based ethanol industry, but also inhibits the development of cellulosic ethanol.

“Without a robust grain ethanol industry, we won’t be able to develop cellulosic ethanol that holds so much promise. When you add cellulosic ethanol to the mix, we have the opportunity to take a major step dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” White said.

Growers are more than able to provide enough feedstock for both grain and cellulosic ethanol.

“Our growers have proven time and time again that they can provide enough grain to satisfy the needs of all our customers,” White said. “This year U.S. growers are harvesting a near record crop and Kansas will produce over 560 million bushels, shattering the previous record of 507 million bushels set in 2007. With improvements in production practices and crop genetics, our corn farmers will continue to produce an ample supply of corn for feed, fuel and food.”

The Kansas Corn Growers Association represents corn growers in legislative and regulatory issues. More information can be found at www.ksgrains.com

11-6-09--Kansas Corn, Sorghum Groups Boost Outreach Efforts with New Staff Member
GARNETT, Kansas (Nov. 6, 2009)- DeEtta Bohling from Greenfield, Iowa recently joined the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association as Communications and Marketing Associate. The associations represent Kansas sorghum and corn producers in legislative and regulatory issues.

“Our goal was to find a person who could help us beef up our communications efforts while boosting our association’s internet presence, especially in social media,” according to KCGA/KGSPA Director of Communications Sue Schulte. “DeEtta is a great fit and brings a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge in these areas.”

Bohling is a 2009 graduate from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Here she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts with an emphasis in Public Relations. She received a minor in Business Administration and a Leadership Education Program certificate.

Bohling has been an active member of 4-H, FFA, Adair County Youth Action Committee, Friends of the Library, Wartburg College Student Senate, Entertainment ToKnight, the Volunteer Action Center, Tower Agency Public Relations, Wartburg Television, and served as an ambassador for Wartburg College.

In 2003, Bohling received the Iowa Governor’s Youth Leadership Award. In 2004 she was inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame and in 2007 she was awarded with a Wartburg College Nobility Award for her service and leadership.

Before joining the Kansas corn and sorghum associations, Bohling was the Marketing and Social Networking intern for the Iowa 4-H Foundation in Ames, Iowa.
 

Comments on FIFRA SAP on Atrazine Review
Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0759-0001
November 3, 2009
Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Jere White. I am the executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association and also serve as chairman of the Triazine Network. My expenses to be here are covered by Kansas farmers.

The Triazine Network was formed in 1995 as a response by growers of over 30 commodities and from over forty states, to provide input to the US EPA special review of the triazine herbicides. Our objective is to ensure that EPA has and utilizes the best science. That's why we are here today. We have participated in every SAP concerning atrazine since the beginning of the Special Review in 1994. We believe the scientific weight of evidence shows atrazine to be both safe and effective and that is the best kind of tool that farmers can have.
Last month EPA announced their decision to pursue a very intensive and urgent reevaluation (actually a re-reevaluation) of atrazine, in disregard to it’s recently completed reregistration which provided for its continued safe use. It clearly appears the normal process which included internal review (i.e. data evaluation records) of new studies by EPA, and when deemed appropriate, a further review by its SAP, has been cast away. It seems now that the an NRDC seeded story in the New York Times is all the peer review needed in order to tee up a minimum of five SAPs in just over a year (four indicated in the FR Notice and a minimum of one additional in FY-2011 indicated in the Agency's stakeholder conference call).

The Agency describes this as a "kickoff" meeting which was certainly new terminology in my fifteen years of participation. This seems highly unusual. Perhaps even festive and goal oriented.

Some countries abandon science in their process and subscribe to a precautionary principal that puts at risk their own people. The benefits of atrazine to agriculture are well documented and part of existing EPA record. Recent efforts to downplay the benefits in the media are simply the wishes of activists who suggest they have better insight on producing abundant food, fuel and fiber from their comfortable desk than the farmer who has been doing it all his life. It should be noted that farmers have been some of the best early adopters.

The Triazine Network is disappointed that there appears to be a major departure in process at EPA in regards to the recently announced SAPs re-reassessing atrazine. However, we commit to engage all processes and all options in order to see a science based outcome continue during all Administrations and keep all those we represent and all that represent us informed of the progress.

10-23-09--Kansas Grower Groups Respond to CSI: Miami's Error Laden Anti-Agriculture Episode

In a letter to the General Manager of WIBW TV, a CBS affiliate, Kansas corn and grain sorghum groups expressed concern over the "Bad Seed" episode of CSI: Miami, which aired on October 19. The show attacked almost all segments of agriculture and was filled with misinformation and fear tactics.

Jim Ogle
General Manager
WIBW TV
Topeka, KS

Dear Jim,

On Monday, CBS aired a CSI Miami episode title "Bad Seed". It would have been more aptly titled "Bad Writing"!

I have been a huge fan of all CSI shows since day one. The usual combination of a plausible storyline with reasonable science is a mix I find entertaining and at times educational. This week's episode was neither. In fact it was a slap in the face to your rural constituents.

A key element of the storyline dealing with genetic modification of crops was completely off base. While a single gene is inserted into a seed, an entire organism is not. Every day, millions of people in the United States and around the world consume GM food. It's no less healthy or nutritious than non-GM food. We know this from years of experience as well as extensive scientific and regulatory testing.

Virtually every other scenario in the episode is exaggerated and improbable to the point of being ridiculous because of modern farm management and the checks and balances within our food production system. Our regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have rigid standards regarding food production and safety which are the model for the world.

Seed companies spend millions of dollars and years of study developing, screening, testing and clearing regulatory hurdles for a single gene technology to assure its safety. And when they are successful in bringing a beneficial trait to the market, local TV Stations like WIBW take in thousands of dollars advertising it to farmers. At one point the show talked about "seed drift". There is no such thing.

Livestock producers are strictly regulated regarding the management of water and potential runoff from cattle feedlots, yet in one scene effluent from a feed yard was freely running out a large pipe and into a groundwater source. Of course, if you looked at the cattle, they were not even feeder cattle, but were cows and calves that would never be fattened in a feed lot. I doubt if there are many feedlots in Dade County, FL.
And yes, you can throw in the racial overtones of undocumented Hispanic farm workers and a poor African American farmer being victimized by the large corporate farmer, who of course was affluent and white.

Nearly all the corn farms (95%) in this country are family farming operations that bring generations of expertise to their farms which they intend to pass on to the next generation. Showing them in such an irresponsible manner is unfair and damaging to consumer confidence. Suggesting that "Big Farming" or food companies are amoral and willing to risk people's lives to advance their profits or even feed the masses is unthinkable and damaging to the hard earned trust farmers have earned from the consumer public.

This is truly an issue where stations like WIBW can and should weigh in to CBS. This episode was a disgrace and should not be aired again. And while the general public may tolerate inept storylines because of low expectations, we will not.
We have had a longstanding good relationship with WIBW. I look forward to your response.

Jere White, Executive Director
Kansas Corn Commission
Kansas Corn Growers Association
Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association
PO Box 446
Garnett, KS 66032

Oct. 1, 2009--Grower Leaders Voice Atrazine Support
Growers from Kansas and four other states left their combines this week to talk to leadership from Syngenta Crop Protection about the importance of atrazine to their farming operations. A roundtable meeting was held at the National Corn Growers Association office in Chesterfield, MO, followed by an informal meeting at the Keith Witt farm in Warrenton, MO.

While atrazine was successfully re-registered by EPA in 2006, recent attacks by environmental activists including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have brought the issue to the forefront. Trial attorneys also continue their efforts for legal action against the makers of atrazine.

Growers represented at the meeting included four past NCGA Presidents: Ron Litterer, Iowa; Ken McCauley, Kansas; Dee Vaughan, Texas and Fred Yoder, Ohio. Three past presidents of the National Sorghum Producers were present: Greg Shelor, Kansas; James Vorderstrasse, Nebraska, and Bill Kubecka, Texas.

Atrazine is used to help farmers grow crops in a way that protects the environment, especially with no-till practices, McCauley said. “Environmental activists would like you to believe that farmers don’t need atrazine, so we might as well get rid of it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is it important to our growers’ bottom lines, it is vital to the practices we use to protect the environment,” McCauley said. “The NRDC says we can use another chemical, but ask NRDC what chemicals they do approve of.”

Southwest Kansas sorghum producer Greg Shelor told the group that his no-till practices would not be possible without atrazine. “I can’t no-till without atrazine,” he said. “With no-till there is not near the runoff and without no-till I will have 50 or 60 bushel sorghum instead of the 100 to 120 bushels I have now.”

Iowa grower Ron Litterer said many people don’t understand atrazine’s role in reducing rates of herbicides. “For me atrazine is an enhancer for weed control. Years ago, my dad used it as his sole product. Now we use much lower rates and have better weed control. As an enhancer, atrazine has allowed us to reduce the rates of other chemicals and has made them more effective.”

Atrazine allows Nebraska sorghum farmer James Vorderstrasse to use moisture conserving no-till practices on his farm. “There is no alternative to atrazine,” he said. “Every time you till the soil you lose an inch of moisture. Without atrazine, you’d have to till two or three times pre-plant plus cultivate a couple of times and that amounts to a loss of 5 inches of moisture.”

Ohio Grower Fred Yoder said atrazine has been important to his family farm for years. “I’m trying to remember if we have ever grown corn without atrazine. It’s been around such a long time. But does that mean we need to look at something else? I don’t think so,” he said.

Syngenta CEO Mike Mack and President of Crop Protection Valdemar Fischer participated in the roundtable discussion by phone. Travis Dickinson, Vice President of Marketing; Tim Pastoor, Principal Scientist; Steven Goldsmith Senior Communications Manager and Todd Barlow, State Government Relations Manager participated in a meeting with growers at the National Corn Growers Association offices in Chesterfield, MO. The Syngenta executives reaffirmed their commitment to defending the use of atrazine.

9-11-09--Kansas Growers Continue to Meet Customers Needs with Record 2009 Crop

Kansas corn producers are expected to harvest a record 518 million bushel corn crop this year as part of the nation’s 13 billion harvest. The projected US harvest will just about tie the record 2007 harvest of 13.1 billion bushels. Farmers continue to prove they can meet the needs of their customers, according to Kansas Corn Growers Association Executive Director Jere White.

“What is interesting is that in 2008, the year of the so-called corn shortage, we produced 12.1 billion bushels which at the time was the second largest crop in history,” White said said. “So in the last three years, we are seeing the three largest corn crops in history in the United States.”

The 2009 U.S. corn crop is expected to have an average yield of 162 bushels per acre, a record yield. Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland pointed out that farmers are using improved technology and growing practices to produce more corn per acre.

“I wish people would look at the great advances we have made in agriculture that allow us to grow more corn on fewer acres and at the same time substantially reduce our use of fertilizers and pesticides, and we’ve reduced erosion as well,” Brzon said. “We don’t seem to get credit for any of that.”

In 2008, many predicted a corn shortage, and some groups called for a stop in the use of corn for ethanol to prevent the shortage. Corn based ethanol was blamed for sharp spikes in consumer food prices. Markets joined the clamor, with speculators raising the price of corn near $8 per bushel for a short time in the summer of 2008. That fall, corn producers harvested the second largest crop in history, and ended the year with a significant corn carryover of 1.7 billion bushels.

“Many special interest groups have found that fear is the best weapon,” White said. “Last year, anti-ethanol groups used fear to attack corn producers and the ethanol industry blaming ethanol for a fictitious corn shortage. In the end, it was corn’s customers as well as consumers who were hurt by speculators who bought into the fear and elevated crop prices to record levels.”

Higher prices across the board were blamed on corn and ethanol last year. The AMC movie theater chain blamed an increase in ticket prices on higher popcorn costs.

“You can imagine the markup on popcorn at a movie theater when you pay more than $5 for a bag of popcorn. That was simply a bogus excuse,” White said. “But what concerns me is that while commodity prices dropped dramatically, consumer food prices have not dropped that much. Last year food prices increased 5.1 percent and food companies blamed corn and ethanol, while they pocketed record profits. They were in a hurry to raise the prices, but seem a little slower to lower them even at a time when consumers are suffering through a recession.”

The Kansas Corn Commission was one of several corn grower groups that created the Corn Farmers Coalition, a national effort to provide accurate information about corn farming. The Corn Farmers Coalition used information from credible sources like the US Department of Agriculture to make sure decision-makers in Washington, DC and others were well informed about today’s corn production.

“I don’t think people understand how much farming has changed especially in the last 10 years. Just like any business technology has made us so much more efficient,” Brzon said. “Last year we had floods in some isolated areas and people thought the corn crop was doomed. This year, we had late planting and a cool growing season in many areas. By overcoming these adversities with near record results, we are proving that our growers can provide a reliable supply of corn for all of our customers year after year.”

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine member grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, education and promotion. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com.

8-28-09--Even Without Clunker Program, Car Buyers Can Save with Flex Fuel Tax Credit

While the “Cash for Clunkers” program has ended, Kansas motorists can take advantage of a $750 tax credit when they buy a flexible fuel vehicle and use E85 ethanol fuel, Kansas Corn Commission Communications Director Sue Schulte said. The FFV option is available on many models of cars, SUVs and pickups. These vehicles are able to operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol (E85).

“Flex fuel vehicles are just that—flexible,” she said. “You can use pure gasoline, or up to 85 percent ethanol whenever you want. It simply gives you more choices at the pump.”

 The state’s E85 tax credit makes buying an FFV an even more attractive option. 

“Even without the Cash for Clunkers program, there are a lot of great incentives for new vehicles with low interest rates and good trade-in values. It’s easy to see why so many people are looking at buying a new vehicle. The state’s E85 tax credit has been around for quite a while and it’s important to remind consumers of this excellent incentive as well,” Schulte said. “A lot of new vehicles have a flex fuel option at no extra cost that allows you to use higher ethanol blends”

Under the state’s FFV tax credit program, the owner of a new FFV has two years in which to use 500 gallons of E85 to qualify for the $750 tax credit.

“With the $750 tax credit and the availability of E85 fuel in cities across the state, why wouldn’t you look into it? There is no downside to choosing a vehicle with the flex fuel option—it gives you more control over your fuel choices,” Schulte said. “Increasing the number of flex fuel vehicles in Kansas fits well with our goal of adding more blender pumps in Kansas and throughout the nation that can offer higher ethanol blends.”

The Kansas Corn Commission has joined several other corn producing states, the Renewable Fuels Association and the American Coalition for Ethanol to add ethanol blender pumps in key locations across the nation. Blender pumps offer E85 fuel as well as other mid-grade ethanol blends such as E20 and E40. Eleven plants currently produce 450 million gallons of fuel ethanol in Kansas providing jobs and economic stability to communities and providing a market for Kansas farmers.

“In a time when people are trying to buy local, why not buy local fuel? Ethanol is produced right here in Kansas with products from Kansas farms,” Schulte said. “With the E85 tax incentive and no added cost for the flex option, buying an FFV looks better than ever.”

Over 45 fuel retailers who sell higher blends of ethanol including E85 are located in cities across Kansas. F

Where to find E85 Fuel in Kansas

Information on the Kansas E85 Tax Credit

Kansas Growers Say Activist Groups Twist EPA Atrazine Data to Alarm Consumers
8-25-09--Three media events on August 23-24 highlighted activists’ efforts to raise public concern about the herbicide atrazine. The New York Times, Huffington Post and National Resources Defense Council all release reports about atrazine on Sunday and Monday. The stories were based on data from a monitoring program that Syngenta, the maker of atrazine, entered into with EPA in 2003. The Atrazine Monitoring Program (AMP) is an intensive monitoring program currently focusing on about 100 community water systems located primarily in the Midwest.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) for atrazine at 3 parts per billion (ppb) based on an annual average in public drinking water. Atrazine is among a list of 87 drinking water contaminants routinely monitored by the EPA. Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association said results of the two testing programs should not be used to confuse consumers.

“The focus of the AMP program is different than the normal water sampling that is done to determine the annual MCL for drinking water systems,” White said. “This study is focused on areas with higher atrazine usage—basically a closer look. The EPA set a guideline under this program of 37.5 ppb atrazine plus three metabolites (breakdown products) over a 90-day period as a benchmark for a level of concern.”

The activist groups used two sets of data to cause concern among consumers, White said.

“You can do anything with numbers. There are spikes, but those spikes were taken into consideration by EPA when the 3 parts per billion annual drinking water level for atrazine was set. That’s why it is an annual average and not a daily or weekly number. But to then take data from an entirely different program, and suggest that the levels were above the EPA’s MCL for atrazine is simply misleading.”

In its July 2009 update, EPA stated, “Through its review of this data, the Agency has confirmed that none of the systems have exceeded OPP's level of concern, a 90-day average of 37.5 parts per billion (ppb) of atrazine and its degradates. Concentrations below this 90-day average are considered to be safe.”

“If you look at the data, you see that atrazine levels in raw (untreated) water have decreased. Farmers are using practices that reduce the amount of runoff from fields, and that keeps chemicals out of surface water,” White said. “This is actually very good news, which has gone unreported.”

Atrazine is crucial to the success of no-till farming operations that have a wide range of environmental benefits. No-till is a practice that leaves crop residue, like corn stalks, in the field to cut down on soil erosion and runoff of fertilizers and farm chemicals.

“When you talk about soil conservation and reducing runoff, you have to talk about no-till farming practices,” White said. “This practice is making a real difference when it comes to conservation. But many growers say without residual weed control that atrazine offers, they would not be able to continue their no-till practices. Farmers have a good story to tell, producing more with less. For example, look at what corn producers have done in the last 10 years. For the same bushel of corn produced in 1987, today our land use is down 37 percent, soil loss is down 69 percent.”

For more information and background on this issue, visit this Atrazine Blog

8-12-09--Kansas Corn Commission Partners in Effort to Expand Ethanol Fueling Infrastructure

The Kansas Corn Commission is partnering with several corn states, National Corn Growers Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to install 5,000 blender pumps across the nation over the next three years. Consumers can enjoy more choices at the pump, gas station owners can experience product flexibility, and the nation can achieve its renewable fuels targets – all thanks to the blender pump and the wider distribution of E85 and mid-range ethanol blends. The program was announced at the 22nd Annual Ethanol Conference & Trade Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 11.

“This spring, corn grower groups from across the country asked the ethanol associations to work together to give us a proposal for a comprehensive effort to increase the market for ethanol by adding blender pumps to key areas across the nation,“ KCC Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland said. “This effort goes well beyond just giving retailers money to add an ethanol pump. We will benefit from the expertise of ACE and RFA working together to provide technical and marketing assistance to fuel retailers to help them see the benefit to offering ethanol blends to their customers. They will also help them take advantage of existing state and federal incentives.”

The “Blend Your Own Ethanol” campaign, BYOethanol, will offer a single source of ethanol information and technical expertise for petroleum marketers looking to upgrade equipment or begin offering more choices to their customers. By serving as a central clearinghouse for renewable fuels infrastructure incentives, the “BYOethanol” campaign will bring blender pumps to key areas of the country, and from there they will spread as neighboring gas stations see the benefit and want to remain competitive.

Blender pumps are not new to the fuel industry, but are now finding new use with ethanol and E85. A blender pump features two underground tanks, typically one with unleaded and one with E85, and the dispenser blends the appropriate percentages of the two fuels to create any blend of ethanol from zero to 85 percent. Gas station owners benefit from product flexibility and by being ready for future renewable fuel blend levels, and consumers benefit by having new choices at the pump like E20 or E30 for their flexible fuel vehicles.

“This campaign will be successful because it works directly with petroleum marketers, not paying them to put in a blender pump, but explaining to them why it’s a good business decision, how it will benefit the station, and helping them access the state and federal incentives that exist,” said Ron Lamberty, Vice President / Market Development of the American Coalition for Ethanol. “If we present petroleum marketers with the facts about why this is a good business decision – and it is a good business decision – they will consider adding blender pumps to their stations. Now our job is to get this information out to as many of them as possible, and we’ve already begun doing that.”

Along with the National Corn Growers Association, several leading corn-producing states are participating in this program. At press time, states participating are the Kansas Corn Commission, the Kentucky Corn Promotion Council, the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, the Nebraska Corn Board, and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, with several other states on the verge of joining this effort.

“Blender pumps are the best way to expand the reach of renewable fuels, and it’s time for a national campaign to get this infrastructure in the ground and get consumers the choices they deserve,” said Robert White, Director of Market Development for the Renewable Fuels Association. “No matter where their station is located, retailers will have a wide variety of options to increase their profit margin while lowering the cost for consumers. We are grateful to be working with the corn grower organizations and the American Coalition for Ethanol.”

The “BYOethanol” campaign will function as an expanded market development program of the two ethanol groups and will serve as the only one-stop source for all the technical, regulatory, safety, and environmental information petroleum marketers need about retailing ethanol blends. The program will feature extensive work at petroleum marketer events and a Web presence designed specifically for station owners to easily get the information they want.

The nearly 200 blender pump locations in the U.S. today can be seen on this map: www.tinyurl.com/ACEblenderpumpmap.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine-member grower board that determines how the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff is invested in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education. The commissioners are elected by growers in each of the state’s nine crop reporting districts. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com or call 800-489-2676.

7-24-09--Kansas Grower Elected Vice Chairman of US Grains Council
Kansas corn producer Terry Vinduska of Marion, Kansas was elected vice chairman of the US Grains Council this week. Vinduska represents the Kansas Corn Commission on the Council. Vinduska served as US Grains Council treasurer during the 2008/2009 term. He has been on the USGC board of directors for six years.

Vinduska has been a strong proponent of the council’s efforts and continues to encourage work to build exports of corn.

“Informa Economics has determined that the return on investment for the Grains Council is $50 per every dollar that the corn commission invests,” Vinduska said. “So for every dollar our Kansas Corn Commission puts into the Grains Council, we get $50 worth of corn exports through the Council’s work. I think that is a phenomenal return on investment for our growers.” MORE

The 2009/2010 USGC officers are: Chairman Rick Fruth, Ohio Corn Marketing Program; Vice Chairman Terry Vinduska, Kansas Corn Commission; Treasurer Wendell Shauman, Illinois Corn Marketing Board; Secretary Don Fast, Montana Wheat and Barley Committee; and Past Chairman Jim Broten, North Dakota Barley Council. The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, grain sorghum and related products. Founded in 1960, the Council is a private, non-profit corporation with nine international offices and programs in more than 50 countries.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine member grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of research, market development, education and promotion. For more information, visit www.ksgrains.com.
 

4-24-09--Growers Say Out of State Trial Attorneys Miss the Point in Kansas Atrazine Lawsuit

Two out-of-state law firms are now saying that two Kansas grower groups are simply trying to protect the financial success of a Swiss chemical company after the corn and grain sorghum associations blew the whistle on an effort to sign up Kansas towns to join a lawsuit against the maker of atrazine. Nothing could be farther from the truth, according to Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. Instead, corn and sorghum farmers are working to protect access to an important herbicide that has been safely used to control weeds on Kansas farms for years.

“The financial success we are concerned about is a lot closer to home. It is in the corn and sorghum fields of Marion County, Kansas,” White said. “A frivolous lawsuit like this can result in taking atrazine off the shelves in Kansas and throughout farm country. That would have far reaching consequences with our growers who rely on atrazine for weed control and conservation tillage.”

KCGA and KGSPA were surprised to learn earlier this month that the farming communities of Hillsboro and Marion had signed on to a lawsuit against the makers of atrazine alleging contamination of their drinking water. Atrazine levels in the drinking water of both cities are well below the 3 parts per billion drinking water standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

In a statement to the media, the trial attorney firms of Baron and Budd, P.C. and Korein Tillery claimed that Kansas corn and sorghum farmers are only interested in protecting the financial interests of a Swiss company.

“Law firms whose office locations include Dallas, Chicago, Beverly Hills and St. Louis are claiming that they are just trying to protect the little guy in Marion County? I find that hard to swallow,” White said.

According to published reports, the law firms, headquartered in Dallas and St. Louis, will retain a third to a half of all the winnings if the lawsuit is successful.

“It sounds to me like these big city lawyers are the ones protecting their financial interests in this case,” White said. “They are in Kansas trolling for water systems to sign on to their lawsuit because it is in their financial interest to do so.”

Kansas farmers use atrazine to control broadleaf weeds in corn and sorghum. Growers have funded research in Kansas to develop best management practices that help keep atrazine on the fields and away from sources of drinking water. In addition, atrazine is a crucial tool for conservation tillage in Kansas.

“We’re in this to protect our growers’ interests,” White said. “Atrazine is a safe, effective and affordable herbicide that helps our growers control weeds in their crops. What’s more, our growers are using practices that are keeping the levels of atrazine well below EPA’s drinking water standard. That means even according to EPA’s extremely strict standards, atrazine at these levels presents no threat to drinking water.”

The trial attorneys have told cities they are only after compensation from a foreign herbicide maker and no one else will be hurt by this lawsuit.

“I’m not so sure that is true,” White asserted. “The contract entered into by the cities of Marion and Hillsboro states that damages may be sought not only from the maker of atrazine, but also anyone who sells it. They are talking about the ag retailers in our state, the local dealers like farmers cooperatives who provide our farmers with their crop protection tools.”

The Baron and Budd and Korein Tillery law firms asserted that cities are required to add filtration systems just to get atrazine levels within federal standards.

“If your atrazine levels are well within the federal standards anyway, why would you invest in new filtration systems to meet those standards,” White said. “Their premise is flawed in that they believe water should be completely free of all levels of contaminants. The list of contaminants that EPA monitors is six pages long with a total of 87 contaminants with maximum contaminant levels designated. That’s good news for Baron and Budd and Korein Tillery—once they are done with atrazine, they have a lot of other moneymakers to go after.”

The trial attorneys in their statement asserted that Syngenta, one of the makers of atrazine is boosting its efforts to sell the herbicide in the U.S. since they no longer sell it in Europe.

“I listen to a lot of ag radio and read a lot of ag publications, and I can’t remember the last time I heard or saw an ad for atrazine,” White said. “It’s an ingredient in several herbicide products, but you just don’t see companies out there pushing atrazine on our farmers. Ads are focused on newer technologies. Farmers are already aware of atrazine because they have used it safely for years.”

City officials claim that their communities’ drinking water is safe, but are seeking damages in a lawsuit that claims that atrazine at any level makes drinking water unsafe.

“Hillsboro and Marion are suing on the assumption that the drinking water is contaminated with atrazine. The cities signed on to the lawsuit over drinking water contamination, but then say their water is safe. They are right, their water is safe because atrazine levels are far below the federal drinking water standard. So why are they in this lawsuit?”

The law firms also commend the cities for their compliance with the Kansas Open Records Act and Kansas Open Meetings Act. The growers associations have formally requested that the Marion County Attorney’s office investigate alleged violations of the open meetings and records act.

“It shouldn’t take almost a month and filing a formal complaint to get public documents,” White said. “If these out-of-state law firms think that is commendable, maybe they need to become more familiar with Kansas law.”

The growers associations are continuing their dialogue with cities and water systems in Kansas. “We are encouraging cities and other water systems to talk to the experts at EPA or the Kansas Department of Health and Environment before jumping onto the trial attorneys’ bandwagon,” White said.

 

4-23-09--City of Hillsboro Supplies Atrazine Lawsuit Records to Growers Associations

After nearly a month of efforts, the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association received information used by the Marion and Hillsboro city councils when they joined a lawsuit against the makers of the herbicide atrazine.

On April 13, the associations asked the Marion County Attorney to investigate alleged violations of the Kansas Open Records Act, and the Kansas Open Meetings Act by the cities of Marion and Hillsboro. The city councils met in a closed session last month to discuss entering into a lawsuit against the manufacturers of atrazine. Later, both cities voted in open sessions to join the lawsuit being initiated by the Texas law firm Baron and Budd, P.C.

“I made an informal request to Hillsboro city manager Larry Paine for certain meeting materials on March 27. On April 2, I mailed to both cities a formal request asking for the materials in accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act,” White said. “The City of Marion denied the existence of documents, and the City of Hillsboro denied us access, although the documents were given to the local newspaper. This led to our request to the Marion County Attorney for an investigation into open records and meetings violations.”

The associations received the requested materials from the City of Hillsboro on April 23. The City of Marion has told us through their legal counsel that certain requested items were not retained after the March 12 meeting.

It is a fundamental right to all Kansans to have access to records and meetings of their elected officials in a timely manner. The state law gives only a small set of circumstances in which access may be denied and the state law requires that public bodies respond to an open records request within three business days.

“We began requesting these materials nearly a month ago, and we were ignored until we asked for an investigation by the county attorney,” White said.

The growers associations are hoping other communities that are contacted make better informed decisions on the atrazine lawsuit.

“We are trying to let other communities know about this issue so they can make informed decisions on whether to join the lawsuit, urging them to talk to experts at EPA or the Kansas Department of Health and Environment who understand the drinking water standards,” White said.

In his request to the Marion County Attorney, White also questioned the legality of the two councils meeting together in a closed session to discuss the lawsuit. To date, the Marion County Attorney has not responded to the association’s request, but County Attorney Susan Robson told the Marion County Record that she is looking into the matter.

“Regardless of the recent receipt of materials, we fully expect that the issue of compliance with our states “sunshine” laws will be explored and determined,” added White. “Citizens should not have to jump through so many hoops to have access to public documents.”
 

4-14-09--Kansas Growers Ask Marion County Attorney to Investigate Open Records, Open Meeting Violations

The Marion County Attorney has been asked to investigate alleged violations of the Kansas Open Records Act, and the Kansas Open Meetings Act by the cities of Marion and Hillsboro. Kansas Corn Growers Association Executive Director Jere White made the request on Monday. The city councils of Marion and Hillsboro met in a closed session last month to discuss whether to enter into a lawsuit against the manufacturers of atrazine, a herbicide used by corn and grain sorghum farmers.

White requested from both cities copies of all materials relating to the health effects of atrazine that were provided to the Councils. The City of Hillsboro did not respond to the formal request, but in response to an earlier informal request, City Administrator Larry Paine said the documents were reviewed in executive session and were protected by attorney-client privilege. The City of Marion denied the existence of any documents.

“Although one city official denied the existence of documents, and another denied us access, these documents were provided to the local media,” White said. “You can’t pick and choose. You can’t deny one person the documents, and then give them to someone else.”

White also requested and did not receive a response to his request for a copy of the contract that the City of Hillsboro entered into with the law firm. In his letter to the county attorney, Susan Hobson, White also challenged the legality under the Kansas Open Meetings Act for two separate councils to meet together in executive session.

“I’ve served in local government myself and I understand how important it is to follow the open records and open meetings laws,” White said. “We have tried to do things properly by making formal requests for information to the cities. When we were denied or ignored, we talked to the Kansas Attorney General’s office which recommended asking the Marion County Attorney to investigate the matter.”

The Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association became involved when the two cities agreed to join in a lawsuit against the makers of atrazine. Both towns’ water systems fall well below the 3 parts per billion drinking water standard for atrazine. City officials were reportedly told that atrazine is more dangerous at even lower levels. White, who has been involved in EPA’s Special Review of atrazine since 1995, said he had not heard any substantiated research to back those claims.

“Basically you’ve got trial attorneys looking to make some money by convincing people their drinking water is unsafe,” White said. “EPA sets stringent standards for safe drinking water and the water that is provided to the people of Marion and Hillsboro is well within those standards. Instead of taking the word of these Texas trial attorneys, the city councils should have also consulted with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment or EPA.”
 

4-2-09--Kansas Farming Communities Targeted by Trial Attorneys for Atrazine Lawsuit
News that two Kansas agricultural communities have signed on as participants in a class action lawsuit against the maker of the farm herbicide atrazine came as both a surprise and a disappointment to the Kansas Corn Growers Association and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. The cities of Hillsboro and Marion were selected by a group of Texas trial lawyers seeking drinking water systems to sign on to their case.

Jere White, executive director of KCGA and KGSPA has been involved with atrazine issues on a national level since 1995 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began a Special Review of the triazine herbicides including atrazine.

“What concerns me is that these city councils only heard one-sided information provided by the Texas law firm of Baron and Budd, which will reportedly collect a third of any winnings of the lawsuit,” White said. “Why not also get information from experts that don’t have a monetary interest, like Kansas Department of Health and Environment or EPA?”

In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency gave a favorable risk assessment to the triazine herbicides including atrazine concluding that they pose no harm that would result to the general U.S. population, infants, children or other consumers.

After the EPA’s positive science-based findings on atrazine, activists have turned to the legal system in hopes of finding another way to ban the herbicide, White said.

“When we became involved in the Special Review of atrazine, we simply wanted EPA to make a decision on scientific fact regardless of the outcome,” he said. “Now the debate has moved into the legal arena, where fear and misinformation can sometimes carry more weight than proven scientific fact. EPA assembled numerous expert science panels to review and advisee the agency in its decision. Their science is sound.”

Media reports state that the city officials were told their communities had nothing to lose by getting involved in the lawsuit.

“From reading the news reports, it appears the councils had been convinced that no one loses in this lawsuit except for a big foreign-owned chemical company. That could not be further from the truth. Farmers rely on atrazine for safe and economical weed control, and lawsuits like this threaten their ability to buy and use this product. Any costs incurred with this lawsuit will be borne by farmers, regardless of the outcome,” White said. “The Texas trial attorneys made it sound like the lottery—but the jackpot will go to Baron and Budd.”

Water testing shows that both communities fall well below the 3 parts per billion standard for atrazine in drinking water. This Federal standard is an annual average based on lifetime exposure. However, Hillsboro city manager Larry Paine was quoted in news stories saying that even lower levels of atrazine are a concern to public health, claiming that lower levels seem to be more dangerous to higher levels.

“I have personally been involved in the EPA Special Review and Reregistration of atrazine since 1995. I have heard a lot of wild claims, but I have never heard anything like that,” White said. “EPA performed a science-based review of atrazine that spanned well over a decade and concluded that atrazine does not pose a risk even at levels three times higher than those reported at Hillsboro.”

Communities and their water systems also have a stake in making sure that water standards are science-based.

“It is in the best interest of water systems and to public safety to have standards that are set by science-based methods, rather than litigation,” White said. “Water systems themselves add chemicals to the water to make it safe to drink. Those water disinfectants create contaminants, yet within the standards, they are considered safe. If science-based standards are not protective in the eyes of Hillsboro and Marion city leaders, how can they expect their constituents to accept their assurance that their drinking water is safe? Water consumed by their citizens will always contain more than hydrogen and oxygen.”

Cities should be wary of trial lawyer’s tactics and seek information from a neutral party, like KDHE or EPA. “There are volumes of peer reviewed science available on atrazine that were generated throughout EPA’s Special Review of the triazine herbicides, which include atrazine,” White said. “Our growers have worked for years to make sure that we are using atrazine responsibly on our fields. We have funded research at K-State to establish and implement practices to keep atrazine from running off our fields into rivers and streams. Now we have trial attorneys from Texas coming to our rural Kansas towns and apparently feeding them a lot of misinformation to get them to sign on to their lawsuit. Cities and other water systems in Kansas should use diligence if approached by trial attorneys on any issue, including this one.”
 

3-25-09--Kansas Con Commissioners Get Firsthand Look at Importance of Strong Asian Markets for US Beef

Assessing efforts to regain market share for U.S. beef in Japan and Korea was the focus of three Kansas corn commissioners in a recent trip with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Members of the Kansas Corn Commission have returned from Japan and South Korea where they observed the work of USMEF and the retail and foodservice performance of U.S. beef and pork products. These two countries are major importers of U.S. red meat.

Corn Commissioners Brian Baalman of Menlo, Ken McCauley of White Cloud, Bob Timmons of Fredonia, and KCC Executive Director Jere White were joined on the trip by USMEF Vice Chairman Keith Miller of Great Bend, and farm broadcaster Greg Akagi of the Kansas Agriculture Network. White said the Kansas Corn Commission is marking its 30th year of work with the US Meat Export Federation, and over that time, has invested over one million dollars in building red meat export markets through USMEF.

“A few years ago we surpassed one million dollars in funding to the USMEF which is a significant amount of dollars from a checkoff program that is relatively small in comparison to other corn states,” KCC Executive Director Jere White said. “We’ve made a commitment, and we wanted to highlight that relationship back to our friends in the livestock industry, and also to help educate ourselves. We were there with three commissioners that are making the funding decisions to give them an actual hands-on look at how their decisions are actually making a difference. We certainly saw that in our visits.”
 

In addition to meeting with key importers and distributors, team members visited the largest cold storage facility in Japan and were impressed to see the amount of U.S. beef currently entering the country. They were able to see chilled products arriving from several Kansas plants as well as many other plants across the United States.

McCauley, who represents northeast Kansas on the corn commission, said the success of Kansas corn farmers is directly tied to strong markets for Kansas and U.S. beef and pork.

“Japan is our biggest export customer. We need to keep in close contact and make sure our customers are happy,” McCauley said. “That’s what we’re here to do--not only to talk about the beef market but actually help them increase the pounds coming over here and that translates back home to more corn demand.”

USMEF has played a key role reopening beef export markets to Asian markets after a single case of BSE was found in the U.S. late 2003. Baalman, who represents northwest Kansas on the commission, said work needs to continue to rebuild those export markets for beef.

“It really affects the U.S. cattleman here today. The lost value is probably in the range of 100 to 150 a head of lost value in the Japanese market that could be re-attained if we can just get some cooperation between our two governments and I think we are just on the cusp of getting that to open up,” Baalman said. “To me it’s like turning the switch on—the value comes back to us as corn producers because livestock has always been our number one customer.”

McCauley said the stop in South Korea after visiting Japan illustrated how important it is for U.S. beef to regain a foothold in the Korean market.

“When you get into the grocery stores in Korea, it’s a very good selection, much more selection on products,” McCauley said. “It looked a lot like the U.S. stores but different products. We got the opportunity to see a lot of U.S. beef in the stores as well as a lot of Australian corn fed beef, which surprised me. I think our U.S. beef producers have some real bona fide competition from Austrailia.”

The Australian beef industry is also working to strengthen Korean markets for its product. Currently nearly Australian beef has a 65 percent market share, compared to 15 percent for U.S. beef in Korea. However, a majority of Korean consumers prefer U.S. beef.

It is important to for corn producers to understand the challenges and opportunities U.S. beef has in Japan and Korea, according to Timmons, who represents southeast Kansas on the commission

“We need to be able to understand the problems the beef industry has in getting their products sold. And Japan is a good example of a place that really wants our beef but there are the restrictions that have caused a lot of problems. For the corn commission, it has been important for us to fund the USMEF, and we’ve seen while we’ve been here they are doing a really good job. They have a good staff that’s promoting U.S. meat in Japan and Korea. The work they’re doing with the importers is a good thing for the beef industry as well as the corn industry.”

The Kansas Corn Commission is grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education to increase the profitability of corn.

 

3-6-09--Kansas Growers Support Ethanol Industry’s Interest in Raising Ethanol Limit
Interest in the ethanol industry to move beyond the current 10 percent ethanol regulatory blending cap or “blend wall” would benefit growers of grains used to make ethanol, according to the Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA). Producers in Kansas stand ready to provide the feedstock to make such an increase successful if it is approved.

The pieces seem to be falling into place to move beyond the blend wall. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recently issued a decision that ethanol blends up to 15 percent can be used in existing fuel pumps. Media reports say the Environmental Protection Agency is looking at the possibility of allowing higher ethanol blends, and ethanol industry groups appear poised to request action from EPA. Kiplinger.com published a letter from Ford Motor Company supportive of efforts to raise the ethanol blend wall up to 15 percent.

“Our growers have proven time and time again that we can produce enough grain to satisfy the needs of our customers. Kansas farmers produced over 700 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum on 6.6 million acres in 2008,” according to Sue Schulte, KCGA and KGSPA communications director. “We will continue to work with our customers to safely produce an abundant supply of grain for feed, fuel and food uses. Efforts by the ethanol industry to move consumer fuel choices beyond the 10 percent ethanol blend wall are both directly and indirectly tied to our farmers bottom line.”

EPA would be the agency which would determine whether the ethanol level can be increased.

“We have confidence in EPA’s ability to conduct a science-based review pertaining to higher ethanol blends,” Schulte said. “There are many credible studies that would support the ethanol industry’s efforts to increase the base level of ethanol in fuel up to 15 percent.”

Kansas currently has 12 ethanol operating ethanol plants that produce nearly 450 million gallons of ethanol per year. About 160 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum are used to make ethanol in Kansas. In 2008, Kansas farmers produced over 700 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum. One-third of the grain used for ethanol returns to the feeding stream as distillers grains, a high-nutrient livestock feed valued by Kansas livestock feeders.
 

3-5-2009--Kansas Corn Commission Supports Corn Farmers Coalition Effort to Tell Growers Story

Grown on family farms throughout Kansas and the rest of the nation, corn is one of the most versatile crops around. But in the past year, the crop has been blamed for increasing food prices, using up valuable land and even raising ticket prices at movie theaters. The Kansas Corn Commission is one of several state grower organizations that is educating decision makers on the role of corn farmers through a new effort called the Corn Farmers Coalition. On Monday, the coalition rolled out a new website at cornfarmerscoalition.org.

“The Kansas Corn Commission joined with several other states and the National Corn Growers Association to form this coalition with one goal—to make sure that the corn grower’s story is told accurately,” according to KCC Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland. “Corn farmers have a great story to tell. We are using less fertilizer, less chemicals, less water and less tillage and at the same time we are producing record amounts of corn to supply all our customers.”

The focus of the coalition is educational and aims to make sure decision makers in Washington and elsewhere have correct information about corn farming. The coalition launched a web site this week at cornfarmerscoalition.com as well as an advertising campaign and a statistical abstract on America’s biggest crop.

“Throughout 2008, we were attacked again and again from special interest groups who insisted we could not produce enough corn for our customers,” Brzon said. “We harvested the second largest crop in history, and we had more corn leftover from 2008 than we did from 2007, which is the biggest crop ever.”

The coalition will meet with reporters, think tanks and members of Congress to talk about what’s ahead: how U.S. farmers, using the latest technologies, will continue to grow enough corn in an environmentally friendly way to meet all our needs; the prospects for making the farm bill more responsive to the market; and the future of renewable fuels, a vital issue for our economy and national security and a key issue for the new administration. The coalition’s web site has valuable information that is useful to anyone interested in agriculture.

 “This website is also a great resource for those involved in agriculture. It has a comprehensive fact book with excellent information,” Brzon said. “For example, farmers grow five times as much corn as they did in the 1930s — on 20 percent less land. And we produce 70 percent more corn per pound of fertilizer than we did in the 1970s. This is the type of valuable information that is offered on the cornfarmerscoalition.org web site.”

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education to increase the profitability of Kansas corn.

3-3-09--KSU Students Get Free Ethanol Fuel and Talk About Renewables
A two hour fuel promotion at the Manhattan Coop drew more than 200 carloads of K-State students looking for free fuel, free lunch and a chance to talk about renewable fuels. The event was spearheaded by the Renewable Fuels Association and sponsored by the Kansas Corn Commission to kick off a national campaign to engage college students in a conversation about renewable fuels.

For two hours on March 2, representatives of the Kansas Corn Commission and the Renewable Fuels Association gave free ethanol-blended fuel fill-ups to KSU students. The Manhattan Coop has both E10 for all gas-powered vehicles and E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles that can operate on fuel up to 85 percent ethanol. Students also got a free lunch and were offered t-shirts or fuel cards for recording video clips about renewable resources.

The Coop, located just east of Manhattan off of Highway 24, was a good location for the large turnout, according to Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Mike Brzon of Courtland.

“We had a steady line of traffic that was up to a half mile long at times,” Brzon said. “This gave us the opportunity to talk to hundreds of college students and get them get them to think about renewable fuels like ethanol. I believe we accomplished a lot at this event, and it is just the beginning of a much larger effort.”

The event’s organizers used on campus advertising as well as internet sites to spread the word. Organizers talked to students on campus, advertised in the student newspaper and used Facebook and the e85challenge.com website to let students know about the event.

“That’s what this Flex Fuel Challenge is all about,” according to Robert White of RFA. “It’s about utilizing viral marketing, going through websites like Facebook. We actually created e85challenge.com to mirror those so you can add friends, you can have discussions and post pictures and do videos so that others can work within that medium to promote renewable energy.”

About 40 video clips were shot at the event as students took turns answering the question “What Does Renewable Mean to You?” The videos will be posted on the e85challenge.com website. The Manhattan event kicked off a larger on-line effort to spread the word about renewables and to encourage others to submit videos on renewables. The Flex Fuel Challenge is looking for creative ideas on renewables and encourages participants to spread the word to get votes for their video submission. The entry with the most votes will win a MacBook Air laptop computer.

In addition to the Kansas Corn Commission, sponsors of the Flex Fuel Challenge include the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and the Kentucky Corn Growers Association. For more information, visit the e85challenge.com website or the Kansas Corn Commission website at www.ksgrains.com.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a grower board that invests the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff in the areas of market development, research, promotion and education to increase the profitability of Kansas corn.

2-23-09--Kansas Growers Support UL Decision for Higher Ethanol Blend

February 23, 2009--Underwriters Laboratories (UL) announced on February 19 that it would support permitting existing gasoline dispensers to use up to 15 percent ethanol with no modifications. Dispensers certified under UL 87 were intended for gasoline with up to 10 percent ethanol, but UL said its data supported the use of higher ethanol blends up to 15 percent.

Kansas Corn Growers Association leaders said this determination could open the door for higher blends of ethanol. “With 10 percent ethanol blends becoming so commonplace, the ethanol industry is nearing what is called a “blend wall” with the limitation of 10 percent ethanol in gasoline for non-flex fuel vehicles,” KCGA Executive Director Jere White said. “This UL decision will play an important role in allowing a higher percentage of ethanol fuel for use in vehicles.”

The U.S. already has the capacity to displace seven percent of the nation’s gasoline use. In Kansas, ethanol currently displaces over six percent of the state’s gasoline at the pump. EPA regulations limit ethanol to 10 percent in non-flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). While there are about seven million flexible fuel vehicles that can use up to 85 percent ethanol, the vast majority of automobiles are limited to 10 percent ethanol at this time.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has said that his agency is in discussions with EPA to increase the amount of grain-based ethanol blended into gasoline. Vilsack recently told the financial news service Bloomberg, “I do think it’s important for us to look for strategies to make sure the infrastructure of the ethanol industry is preserved, because it is a key component to this new energy future the president’s laid out,” Vilsack said.

Without the UL approval for fuel dispensers, infrastructure costs would have made any EPA decision to increase ethanol blends more difficult to implement.

“EPA may end up approving a higher ethanol percentage, but without allowing existing pumps to dispense those higher blends, implementing the higher percentage would be much more expensive and cumbersome. Thanks to the UL decision, if a higher blend is allowed by EPA, stations can increase the percentage of ethanol in their fuel within the guidelines without making expensive infrastructure changes,” White said.

According to the UL news release, “UL stresses that existing fuel dispensers certified under UL 87 were for intended use with ethanol blends up to E10, which is the current legal limit for non-flex fuel vehicles in the United States under the federal Clean Air Act. However, data the company has gathered as part of the organization’s ongoing research to investigate the impact of using higher ethanol blends in fuel dispensing systems supports that existing dispensers can be used with ethanol blends up to 15%.”

Visit ksgrains.com for more information about Kansas corn and Kansas ethanol.

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1-30-09--Ethanol Blender Pump Locations Grow In Kansas
An ethanol blender pump opening in Topeka this week showcased efforts to expand the availability of mid-grade ethanol fuels to Kansas drivers. The grand opening of the new ethanol blender pumps at the Conoco at 1531 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka was held on Jan. 28. The Topeka station is the eighth Kansas station to offer mid-grade ethanol fuel blends. The Kansas Corn Commission is leading an effort to add 100 ethanol blender pumps in the state. The corn commission is working with Growth Energy to offer technical and promotional support and financial incentives to help stations offset the costs of adding ethanol blender pumps.

“Kansas is one of the first states to allow blender pumps, giving motorists more choices for renewable fuels. Forward-thinking action by the Kansas Department of Agriculture established guidelines to allow the use of blender pumps in our state,” according to Jere White, Kansas Corn Commission executive director. “Corn producers see the value in expanding markets for ethanol within our state.”

Kansas now has eight fuel stations that offer mid-grade ethanol fuels at blender pumps located in Topeka, Coffeyville, Hutchinson, Garden City, Lawrence, Ottawa, Dodge City and Colwich.

Blender pumps can offer several blends of ethanol. The most common blends are E20, E30, E40 and E85. The “E” in the designation indicates that the fuel contains ethanol—and the number associated with it is the percentage of ethanol in that blend. For example, E20 is 20% ethanol, 80% gasoline. Any gas-powered engine can use E10, a 10 percent ethanol fuel blend. In the past year, a large percentage of gasoline sold in Kansas contained 10 percent ethanol. Fuels with more than 10 percent ethanol should be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). State guidelines require blender pumps to be clearly labeled to make sure the buyer understands that ethanol blends above 10 percent ethanol are intended only for use in flexible fuel vehicles.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky participated in the Topeka blender pump event and announced that his department had finalized the state’s blender pump guidelines after a year-long pilot project. "Information we collected during the pilot project confirms that blending pumps can consistently and accurately dispense a range of ethanol blends from a single pump," Polansky said. "This is a real boon for owners of flexible fuel vehicles who want more choice."

The Topeka grand opening event also celebrated the creation of a new joint venture between fuel distributor Crescent Oil Company, ethanol plant design and builder ICM, Inc. and ethanol company Poet to provide a delivery system for mid-grade ethanol fuels. Crescent Oil, which is involved in the Topeka and Coffeyville stations, plans to add ethanol blender pumps at several more locations in Kansas and throughout the Midwest.

Ethanol blender pumps are located at the following Kansas locations:

Topeka: Conoco, 1531 SW Wanamaker
Coffeyville: Jump Start, 512 NW St.
Hutchinson: Hutchinson Coop Cenex, 1200 W. 4th Ave.
Garden City: U Pump It, 156 N. Campus Dr.
Lawrence: Zarco 66, 9th & Iowa St.
Ottawa: Zarco 66, 2518 East Logan St. (I-35 and Hwy 68)
Dodge City: Dodge City Coop, 800 W. Trail St.
Colwich: TJ’s Convenience Store, 104 W. Chicago Ave.

For more information on Kansas ethanol and a complete list of fuel stations that offer blender pumps as well as stations that have E85 pumps, visit the ethanol page at www.ksgrains.com.
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12-30-08--Kansas Corn Producers Post High Marks in Yield Contest
While Kansas growers did not receive national honors in the National Corn Yield Contest sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association, the state winners posted high yields in all categories.

The combined average yield of the Kansas winners was 261 bushels per acre, compared to the estimated state average yield of 137 bushels per acre. The highest irrigated yield from Kansas belonged to Faye Cyr of Clyde who had a yield of 296.7 bushels per acre in the Ridge Till Irrigated division. The highest non-irrigated yield was from Richard Sudbeck of Seneca who had a yield of 285.8 bushels per acre in the non-irrigated division.

The national and state contest winners will be honored at the 2009 Commodity Classic to be held at Grapevine, Texas February 26-28. The Kansas winners of the National Corn Yield Contest are listed below.

Non-Irrigated
1. Richard Sudbeck of Seneca planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for a yield of 285.8 bushels per acre.
2. Carl Reiff of Netawaka planted DEKALB DKC63-42 for a yield of 241.6 bushels per acre.
3. Art & Todd Meier of Topeka planted Pioneer 33T57 for a yield of 239.3 bushels per acre.

No Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated
1. Douglas P. Johnson of Bendena planted Garst 82H80GT/CB/LL for 258.1 bushels per acre.
2. Don Garlow of Concordia planted Pioneer 34R67 for a yield of 251.3 bushels per acre.
3. Devon Benfer Concordia planted Pioneer 31N30 for a yield of 247.5 bushels per acre.

No Till/Strip Till Irrigated
1. Todd Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 293.4 bushels per acre.
2. Shawn Taddiken of Clifton planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 262.6 bushels per acre.
3. Cedric Hands of Garden City planted Pioneer 33Y74 for a yield of 259.7 bushels per acre.

Ridge Till Non-Irrigated
1. Jimmy Elder of Linwood planted Pioneer 33K44 for a yield of 206.6 bushels per acre.
2. LeRoy Elder of Linwood planted Pioneer 33D47 for a yield of 194.9 bushels per acre.

Ridge Till Irrigated
1. Faye Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 296.7 bushels per acre.
2. Harold Lambert of Clyde planted Golden Harvest H-9190HX/LL for a yield of 274.6 bushels per acre.
3. Ron Jacobson of Concordia planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 271.6 bushels per acre.

Irrigated
1. Gail Cyr of Clyde planted Pioneer 32B29 for a yield of 291.6 bushels per acre.
2. Merl Rexford of Meade planted Pioneer 33D47 for a yield of 280.2 bushels per acre.
3. Richard Unruh of Copeland planted Pioneer 33Y76 for a yield of 273.5 bushels per acre.

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12-10-08--Kansas Corn Producers Are Meeting Needs of Customers
Corn producers are meeting the needs of their customers and doing it in a more sustainable manner, according to Kansas Corn Commissioner Ken McCauley of White Cloud. McCauley, who is past president of National Corn Growers Association, spoke at the Kansas Corn Producers Dinner held in conjunction with the Kansas Commodity Classic in early December.

McCauley’s presentation focused not only on the growing demand for corn spurred by the biofuels industry, but also the ability of growers to meet the demand on existing acres.

“Today, we are using all available technology to significantly increase corn production, and there is more technology in the pipeline that will boost yields even more,” McCauley said. “We can find new markets for corn and still meet all traditional needs and at the same time, we can be responsible stewards of our natural resources.”

McCauley said the notion that using corn to make ethanol is the main reason for rising food prices had been disproved by several credible sources. He pointed to studies from USDA, Texas A&M, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. A copy of McCauley’s presentation is available on the Kansas Corn Growers Association website at www.ksgrains.com.

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12-10-08--Kansas Corn Growers Association Holds Annual Meeting
The Kansas Corn Growers Association held its annual meeting on December 8. Association members heard association reports, reviewed the association’s resolutions and elected board members. Harvey Heier of Grainfield was elected to represent the west central district; Armin Nelson of McPherson was elected to represent the central district, and Roger Pine of Lawrence was elected to represent the east central district.

The KCGA board held its officer elections after the annual meeting. Brian Baalman of Menlo was reelected president; Armin Nelson was elected vice president; Bob Timmons, Fredonia was reelected secretary, and Charles Foltz, Garnett was reelected treasurer.

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11-20-08--Kansas Commodity Classic Is Tuesday, December 9 at Salina!
As Kansas farmers look ahead to 2009, a number of key questions are looming: can commodity prices rebound to near-historic highs of 2008? Will input prices stabilize?

Answers to these questions may be found at the annual Kansas Commodity Classic, slated for Dec. 9 at the Holiday Inn, Salina. The Commodity Classic is an annual joint convention of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.
The day’s educational sessions begin at 9 a.m., when Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky leads off with a recap of 2008 and 2009 outlook. The general session continues with a keynote presentation focusing on the “Strength of the Agricultural Economy,” followed by an Ag Production Issues panel discussion on the relationship between agricultural credit, grain marketing and crop inputs. The morning session concludes with a post-election update on federal government issues.

Following a complimentary luncheon, a series of breakout sessions will allow farmers to gain valuable insight into the 2009 crop year. Sessions include:
--Fertilizer Supply, Demand and Costs;
--Alternative Land Lease Agreements
--End of Year Tax Planning for Farmers
--Rural Development Opportunities
--Marketing Strategies
 
An ice cream break featuring Call Hall Ice Cream from Kansas State University - a Kansas Commodity Classic tradition – separates the first and second breakout sessions. The Commodity Classic is free to farmers, but pre-registration is encouraged, by calling the Kansas Wheat office at 866-759-4328

Follow this link for an agenda of Classic events
.

ANNUAL CORN PRODUCERS DINNER
6 p.m. Monday, December 8
Salina Holiday Inn
Sponsored by the Kansas Corn Commission
All corn producers are invited
Please RSVP at 800-489-2676

KCGA Annual Meeting will follow at 8 p.m.

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8-20-08Former Kansas Corn Commissioner Carolyn Dunn Will Speak at Republican National Convention
Carolyn Dunn of St. John will give a three minute speech on rural development and agriculture at the Republican National Convention. Dunn, who completed her term earlier this year as Kansas Corn Commissioner representing the southcentral Kansas district, will speak on Tuesday, September 2 in the 7 p.m. hour, according to media reports.

Follow the link below to read a Hutchinson News article about Carolyn's convention appearance.

Contact KCGA (staff directory)

Join  KCGA (membership)

Kansas ETHANOL Info

Corn News

Teachers' Resources

Environmental Resources

Corn Links

KCGA Leadership

Kansas Corn Commission (checkoff board)

National Corn Growers Association

Kansas Corn Growers Association
110 West 4th Ave., Garnett, KS 66032
Phone: 800-489-2676              E-mail: corn@ksgrains.com